LUPC Wetlands Regulatory UPDATE MAINE LAND USE PLANNING

LUPC Wetlands/ Regulatory UPDATE MAINE LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION Presentation to MAWS, March 2016

NRPA Permitting 38 M. R. S. A. § 480 -E-1 Delegation of permit-granting authority to Maine Land Use Planning Commission The Maine Land Use Planning Commission “shall issue all permits under this article for activities located wholly within its jurisdiction…”

NRPA Consistency 38 M. R. S. A. § 480 -E-1 Delegation of permit-granting authority to Maine Land Use Planning Commission The Maine Land Use Planning Commission “in consultation with the Department, shall …review land use standards…to ensure that the standards afford the same level of protection consistent with the goals of this article…”

LUPC Rulemaking under NRPA • Not separate rules, standards included in Chapter 10 • Chapter 10 rules serve many purposes • Format/methods may not match DEP’s • Primarily zoning / map based • Adjustments made for rural area and existing format

NRPA Consistency Rulemaking 2015 § Coastal sand dune systems § High mountain areas (fragile mountain areas) § Community public water system primary protection areas § Significant wildlife habitat § Coastal & freshwater wetlands § Bodies of standing water (lakes and ponds) § Flowing waters (rivers, streams & brooks) Protected Natural Resources

Future Rulemaking § Coastal sand dune systems § High mountain areas § Community public water system primary protection areas § Significant wildlife habitat § Coastal & freshwater wetlands § Bodies of standing water § Flowing water Placeholders added for: Ø Related definitions Ø Alteration standards Ø Mitigation requirements

Resource Terms Why not use NRPA terms? ? ? • Flowing water (river, stream or brook) • Bodies of standing water (lakes and ponds) • High mountain areas (fragile fountain areas)

Key Changes § Renamed/ reorganized 10. 25, P § Improved consistency of definitions § Incorporated Wetland Compensation Guidelines

Key Changes Flowing Water • Kept resource term “flowing water” • Adopted NRPA “river, stream or brook” definition • Improved consistency with DEP • Simplified application process, joint DEP/LUPC projects

Key Changes Freshwater wetlands • Added S 1 and S 2 communities to P-WL 1 (WOSS) • Revised the compensation threshold for P-WL 2/3 • Updated the method for wetland delineation • Added language to allow more activities in P-WL 1 • Shoreline stabilization, trails/ driveways, reconstruction

Key Changes Coastal wetlands Two significant changes included: § Using a single term for coastal resources § Revising the definition for coastal wetlands

Coastal Resources Replaced “tidal water” with “coastal wetland” § Improves consistency with NRPA § Provides the same level of protection for coastal resources § Simplifies the application of standards

Coastal Wetlands Previous definition of coastal wetland used: Maximum Spring Tide • Not defined • Highest spring tide of the year

Coastal Wetlands Revised definition of coastal wetland uses: Highest Astronomical Tide § Published by NOAA § Based on 19 years

Highest Astronomical Tide on the Maine Coast Maine Geological Survey Annual vs. Astronomical High Tides Tide Station Highest 2015 Elevation (ft, MLLW) Portland Eastport Bar Harbor 11. 8 22. 8 13. 4 HAT Difference in Elevation (ft, MLLW) (inches) 12. 0 23. 0 13. 7 Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 2. 4 3. 6

Highest Astronomical Tide on the Maine Coast Maine Geological Survey Scarborough marsh area Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Maine Geological Survey Edmunds Township 16 Map by Cameron Adams Maine Geological Survey Map by Cameron Adams Annual vs. Astronomical High Tides

NRPA Consistency Next Steps § Continue working with other agencies s MGS — coastal sand dune s MDIFW — significant wildlife habitat § Begin development of rules for other protected resources

Questions ? ? ? Stacie R. Beyer, Senior Planner Land Use Planning Commission 106 Hogan Road, Suite 8 Bangor, ME 04401 (207)941 -4593 stacie. r. beyer@maine. gov http: //www. maine. gov/dacf/lupc/laws_rules/ch 10. html