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 "Legislation"

State of Maine

Find out what new legislation has been passed with the state's Laws of Maine page: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ros/lom/
lomdirectory.htm
Water Classification Program
38 MRS § 464-470

The state has established a water quality classification system to monitor and protect water quality. All of Maine's water bodies are divided into categories:

  • rivers, streams, and small ponds
  • ponds with more than ten acres of surface area
  • coastal and tidal waters
  • groundwater 

Within each category, waters are assigned a class rating of AA (best), A, B, and C. These ratings are then used to determine limits on licensed discharges of pollutants.

Additionally, an "Anti-Degradation Policy" provision is intended to prevent further decline of Maine's waters. According the the policy, no license may be granted which authorizes additional discharges into a water body that doesn't currently meet the minimum standards of its classification.

read the statute

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Non-point Source Pollution Program
 38 MRS § 410-H

In 1991 the Maine legislature enacted a Nonpoint Source Pollution Management statute to combat NPS pollution. The NPS Program is designed to implement "Best Management Practice" guidelines, which are determined by the Department of Environmental Protection in conjunction with other state agencies. 

The NPS program includes:

  • assessment and strategy development
  • public education and training seminars
  • financial assistance for NPS-control projects
  • regulatory oversight

read the statute

find out more about the NPS Program on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection web site

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Natural Resources Protection Act
 38 MRS § 480-A to Z

The Natural Resources Protection Act requires permits from the DEP for certain activities occuring in, on, or adjacent to any areas protected by the Act:
  • coastal sand dune systems
  • significant wildlife habitat
  • freshwater wetlands
  • rivers, streams, or brooks
  • coastal wetlands
  • fragile mountain areas
  • great ponds
  • lands adjacent to any freshwater or tidal wetland, great pond, river, stream, or brook

Permits are required for dredging, removing or displacing soil or vegetation, filling, bulldozing, draining, and construction.

read the statute

find out more about the Natural Resources Protection Act on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection web site

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Maine Endangered Species Act
 12 MRS § 7751-7759

In 1975 the state Legislature passed the Maine Endangered Species Act, in hopes of protecting vulnerable species from extinction. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife administers the Act and is responsible for monitoring resident fish and wildlife. Based on scientific studies, IF&W determines whether any species should be listed as either:

  • Endangered--at risk of becoming extinct in all or a significant portion of its range

  • Threatened--likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future

Where IF&W finds that a species merits either listing, it may make a recommendation to the legislature, which makes a final decision. Once a species is listed, IF&W develops protection guidelines, including protecting the species' "essential habitat." All activities which require a state or local permit within the habitat of an endangered or threatened species are subject to review by IF&W.

read the Act on the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department web site

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