A. 
A forest stand delineation shall be submitted at the initial stages of subdivision or project plan approval, before a grading permit application, or before a sediment control application is submitted for the tract being developed.
B. 
The delineation shall be prepared by a licensed forester, licensed landscape architect, or a qualified professional who meets the requirements stated in COMAR 08.19.06.01B.
C. 
The delineation shall be used during the preliminary review process to determine the most suitable and practical areas for forest conservation and shall contain the following components:
(1) 
A topographic map delineating intermittent and perennial streams, and steep slopes over 20%;
(2) 
A soils map delineating soils with structural limitations, hydric soils, or soils with a soil K value greater than 0.35 on slopes of 15% or more;
(3) 
Forest stand maps indicating species, location, and size of trees and showing dominant and co-dominant forest types;
(4) 
Location of one-hundred-year floodplain;
(5) 
Information required by the Forest Conservation Technical Manual; and
(6) 
Other information the Department determines is necessary to implement this chapter.
D. 
If approved by the Department, a simplified delineation may be submitted for an area that meets the minimum forest conservation threshold as determined in Article VIII, § 216-14 of this chapter when less than 40,000 square feet of forest cover is disturbed during a construction activity and the area is designated to be under a long-term protective agreement.
E. 
The Department shall consider a simplified forest stand delineation complete if it includes:
(1) 
All requirements under Article V, § 216-8C(1), (2), (4) and (5) of this chapter;
(2) 
A map showing existing forest cover as verified by field inspection; and
(3) 
Other information required by this chapter.
F. 
An approved forest stand delineation may remain in effect for a period not longer than five years.
G. 
Department forest stand delineation approval.
(1) 
Within 30 calendar days after receipt of the forest stand delineation, the Department shall notify the applicant whether the forest stand delineation is approved or list deficiencies.
(2) 
If the Department fails to notify the applicant within 30 days of deficiencies of the forest stand delineation, the delineation shall be treated as approved.
(3) 
Resubmission of the forest stand delineation will be required to correct any list of deficiencies. The forest stand delineation will not be approved until all listed deficiencies have been corrected to the satisfaction of the Department.