7-03.jpg)
West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis --
NRPA & Shoreland Zoning laws
The Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) and Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act (SZ) regulate cutting and clearing of vegetation close to or in protected natural resources, as well as physical alterations such as bulldozing, filling, or draining. The NRPA is administered primarily at the state level as a permit program, and the SZ is administered primarily at the local level through ordinances.
Cutting of vegetation in or adjacent to a protected natural resource, or activity involving construction or soil disturbance may require a DEP permit. For more information on NRPA requirements, see the NRPA Page.
Proposed activity may also be affected by local requirements. Check with your local code enforcement officer (or the Land Use Regulation Commission as appropriate). For more information on shoreland zoning, see the Shoreland Zoning Page.
Examples of protected natural resources are streams, rivers, lakes, and freshwater and coastal wetlands.
