State and Private Wetlands - Nonwater-Dependent Project - Definition

HB 1591 amends Maryland's wetlands law to clarify that vessels registered under Title 8, Subtitle 7 of the Natural Resources Article are explicitly excluded from the definition of a "nonwater-dependent project." This change directly affects vessel owners and operators, as it prevents these vessels from being classified under a category that would require separate permitting for wetlands construction. The bill modifies Section 16-101(i)(v) of the Annotated Code of Maryland to add this exclusion, ensuring vessels are not subject to the licensing requirements applicable to other nonwater-dependent projects. This adjustment streamlines regulatory treatment for registered vessels without altering broader wetlands protection standards.