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 Site Location of Development (Site Law)
 Introduction
Contacts
Forms
Municipal information
Rules
Statutory sections
Supplementary materials
Related pages/information
Introduction
This law requires review of developments that may have a substantial effect upon the environment. These types of development have been identified by the Legislature, and include developments such as projects occupying more than 20 acres, metallic mineral and advanced exploration projects, large structures and subdivisions, and oil terminal facilities. A permit is issued if the project meets applicable standards addressing areas such as stormwater management, groundwater protection, infrastructure, wildlife and fisheries, noise, and unusual natural areas.
The applicant for a new Site Law development (except for a residential subdivision with 20 or fewer developable lots) is required to attend a pre-application meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for the applicant to determine the requirements that apply to the project. The meeting with licensing staff is intended to help identify issues, processing times, fees, and the types of information and documentation necessary for the DEP to properly assess the project. Pre-application meetings are available on request when they are not required.
Certain exemptions apply. The Site Law applies in organized areas for purposes of all types of development, and in unorganized areas for purposes of oil terminal facilities, and metallic mineral mining and advanced exploration.
Contacts (licensing)
For general licensing question, including asking for the name of the project manager for a particular project, please use the ON-CALL system. Call one of the following numbers, and ask to speak with the "on-call" person for the Site Law program in the Bureau of Land and Water Quality.
- Augusta: 800-452-1942.
- Bangor: 888-769-1137.
- Portland: 888-769-1036.
- Presque Isle: 888-769-1053.
Additional contacts -- Augusta: Jim Cassida (287-7691). Portland: Linda Kokemuller (822-6300). Bangor: Robin Clukey (941-4348). The area code for Maine is 207.
Statutory sections
Title 38, Chapter 3, §§ 481-490. Note: this link is to the text at the Office of Revisor of Statutes' site. Always check the disclaimer there -- the text may not include the most recent changes.
- DEP Site Law statutory handout. This is an unofficial text produced by DEP. Cover; text.
- For a list of recent bills amendment programs administered by the Bureau of Land and Water Quality, see the L&W Legislation Page.
Rules
The DEP has a handout available that includes Chapters 371-377. This handout is commonly used by DEP staff, and is available in hardcopy. Email to request a copy. The handout has a table of contents, and the page numbering is sequential throughout the entire document. In the official chapters listed below, available on the Secretary of State's website, each chapter has its own page numbers.
- 200. Metallic Mineral Exploration, Advanced Exploration, and Mining
- 371. Definitions
- 372. Policies and Procedures under the Site Location Law
- 373. Financial Capacity Standard of Site Location Law
- 375. No Adverse Environmental Effect Standard of Site Location Law
- 376. Soil Types Standard of the Site Location Law
- 377. Review of Roads under Site Location of Development Law
- 380. Planning Permit
- 500 Stormwater Management, and 502 Direct Watersheds of Lakes Most at Risk from Development, and Urban Impaired Streams (including amendments effective 12/27/2006). Summary of the most significant changes in Chapters 500 & 502 effective 12/27/2006.
Forms
Important Note about Forms in Word: In addition to pdf files, licensing forms is MS Word are available below so that an applicant with MS Word can download the forms and fill them in on his or her computer, if he or she wants.
If you feel an item does not apply to your project, write "NA" or "not applicable" - do not delete the item from the form. Altered forms will not be accepted, because they increase review times, when staff have to slow down and figure out what information is missing. Making a section longer in order to provide more information is not considered an alteration, and is acceptable.
Municipal information
- Delegated authority; municipal capacity -- list of towns
- Municipal Review of Development forms (for municipalities)
Supplementary materials
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