Permit by Rule fees increased on November 1, 2019. The new fee is $250. Contact Mark Stebbins for more information.
Applications filed with the Bureau of Land Resources must be submitted electronically. Find out more.
Maine DEP can now accept online credit card payments through a Credit Card Payment Portal.
Protected natural resources are coastal sand dune systems, coastal wetlands, significant wildlife habitat, fragile mountain areas, freshwater wetlands, great ponds and rivers, streams or brooks. See 38 MRSA 480-B for statutory definitions.
The purpose section of the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) provides, in part, that: "The Legislature finds and declares that the State's rivers and streams, great ponds, fragile mountain areas, freshwater wetlands, significant wildlife habitat, coastal wetlands and coastal sand dune systems are resources of state significance. These resources have great scenic beauty and unique characteristics, unsurpassed recreational, cultural, historical and environmental value of present and future benefit to the citizens of the State and that uses are causing the rapid degradation and, in some cases, the destruction of these critical resources, producing significant adverse economic and environmental impacts and threatening the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the State."
The law is focused on "protected natural resources". A permit is required when an "activity" will be:
An "activity" is (A) dredging, bulldozing, removing or displacing soil, sand, vegetation or other materials; (B) draining or otherwise dewatering; (C) filling, including adding sand or other material to a sand dune; or (D) any construction, repair or alteration of any permanent structure.
Certain exemptions apply. A pre-application meeting is required for some projects, and is available on request for others. The NRPA is administered by the DEP in organized areas.
Have a question or need more information? Use the links below to find out more or connect with DEP staff.
