Eaton Peabody

MAINE DEP PROPOSES CHANGES TO RULES UNDER THE NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT

Maine DEP is proposing changes to the Permit by Rule, which allows certain activities in, on or near a protected natural resource to occur without a full permit. The changes include new provisions for activities in, on or near vernal pools, high or moderate value waterfowl and wading bird habitat and shorebird nesting, feeding and staging areas. There are also some changes to permitted activities in sand dunes.

Maine DEP is also proposing to amend the wetland protection rules to require a functional assessment and compensation for wetland impacts greater than 15,000 square feet, instead of 20,000 s.f. under the curent rule.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS OCTOBER 16, 2006.

For more information about this new rule, please contact Andrew Hamilton in Bangor or Bill Ferdinand in Augusta.