Wetlands
This page is divided into five sections: Mission, Standards, Regulations, Reviews and Definintions. Each deals with an aspect of the duties and functions of the Regional Office concerning marine and estuarine wetlands. Use the links at the left under Wetlands to view each section or simply scroll down the page.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome. 
MISSION
The Biologists stationed at the Regional Offices are responsible for reviewing Wetland Alteration Permit Applications submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection. The reviews involve a careful study of the applications and in most cases site visits are made. Written comments are prepared which describe the nature of the marine environment and major flora and fauna at the site of the proposed project. A statement as to whether or not the activity will adversely affect marine resources or impede navigation or the recreational use of the area is made along with recommendation for actions which will mitigate or compensate for likely damages. Should the application come before the Board of Environmental Protection, the Biologist is sometimes asked to testify and answer questions concerning submitted comments.
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STANDARDS
When reviewing wetland alteration permit applications, review guidelines are utilized to standardize, as much as possible, the process. Guidelines concerning the values of various marine habitats are the basis for making a determination of adverse affect. They include the following:
Soft Bottom Habitat
The loss of soft bottom habitat (mud, sand, sand and gravel) to filling or dredging is harmful to wildlife and estuarine marine fisheries for the following reasons:
- Soft bottom supports a variety of marine organisms in various positions in the marine food chain from primary producers, such as benthic diatoms, to tertiary consumers, such as shore birds.
- Soft bottom acts as a sink for soluble organic compounds and minerals, absorbing them when they are abundant and releasing them when depleted.
- Soft bottom supports a variety of marine organisms such as marine bacteria and detritus feeders, which are important to the recycling of nutrients.
- Intertidal flats are utilized by juvenile fish in feeding and act as a refuge from deeper water predators during much of the tidal cycle.
- Many species of shore birds rely heavily (and some exclusively) upon tidal flats for feeding and resting.
- Soft bottom supports, either directly or indirectly, many commercially important species.
Hard Bottom Habitat
The loss of hard bottom habitat (ledge, boulders and cobble) to filling and dredging is harmful to wildlife and estuarine or marine fisheries for the following reasons:
- Hard bottom supports a variety of marine organisms in various positions in the marine food chain from primary producers, such as seaweed, to tertiary consumers such as shore birds.
- Hard bottom supports a variety of filter feeding organisms such as barnacles and mussels which are important to maintaining good water quality.
- Hard bottom substrates are necessary for many epiphytic organisms which must attach to firm objects and surfaces to survive, grow and reproduce.
- Rock crevices are utilized as shelter or refuge by many fish and crustacean species.
- Some species of shore birds rely heavily upon rocky shores for feeding and resting.
- Hard bottom supports, either directly or indirectly, many commercially important species.
Salt Marshes
The loss of salt marshes to filling or dredging is harmful to wildlife and estuarine or marine fisheries for the following reasons:
- Salt marshes and associated waters are spawning and nursery grounds for over two-thirds of our commercial and recreational marine fishes.
- Salt marshes are highly productive, producing up to ten tons of organic matter per acre per year, and are a major contributor fueling estuarine food webs.
- Salt marshes act as a barrier against storm flowage significantly reducing shoreline erosion by absorbing flood waters and attenuating wave action.
- Salt marshes improve water quality by removing suspended solids, excessive nutrients and pollutants from overlying waters.
- Salt marshes are utilized by many waterfowl and shorebirds for feeding, resting and nesting.
- Salt marshes have high scenic value and provide many recreational opportunities.
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REGULATIONS
The laws pertaining to wetland alterations are embodied in three portions of the Natural Resources Protection Act: 1) the Act itself - Title 38 M.R.S.A. Section 480a - 480s, 2) the Wetland Protection Rules - DEP Regulations Chapter 310 and 3) the Permit By Rule Standards - DEP Regulations Chapter 305. The Department of Environmental Protection administers the Natural Resources Protection Act. Visit the NRPA Web Page for more information.
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REVIEWS
The Wetlands Alteration Permit Application review comments prepared by this office are submitted to the DMR Wetlands Coordinator. The comments are edited, combined with any additional information or comments and then submitted to the Commissioner for signature.
This section contains a simple example of the comments submitted by this office. The actual comments themselves are not available to the public. To request copies of the official documents, use the following link: Official DMR Comments
A description of the various terms used in the comments concludes this section.
Sample Review Comment
Wetlands Alteration Project Review
Project Information
Project #: 19876 |
Applicant: Smith |
Site Visit: Yes |
Project: Pier, Ramp, Float |
Reviewer: Card |
Date: 09/23/04 |
Location: Bayside |
Analyst: Maxwell |
|
Project Description
The applicant proposes to construct a 4' x 45' pile supported pier with a seasonal 3' x 30' ramp and 8' x 16' float. The pilings are to be untreated oak and the rest of the structure pressure treated southern pine with galvanized fastenings.
Site Description
The site of the proposed project is a low energy unconsolidated shore. The upland is developed with a house and lawn. The intertidal zone is approximately 100' wide with a variable slope. The supratidal is the base of a 10' high, vegetated bank. The upper intertidal is thatch. The mid intertidal is a mix of thatch, cobble, stone and gravel with a few boulders. The lower intertidal and subtidal are sand. There is a fringing marsh approximately 36' wide. Barnacles and periwinkles are present. There are scattered mussels and soft-shell clams.
Project Impact
This project as proposed will not adversely affect marine resources. Navigation and recreation will not be impeded. |
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DEFINITIONS
Shore Classifications
Classes
Rocky Shore- Ledge, boulder and/or stone is the predominate substrate.
- Unconsolidated Shore
- Sediments ranging from clay to cobble make up the predominant substrate.
- Mixed Shore
- Neither of the above substrates predominate.
- Man-made Shore
- The predominant substrate is a constructed surface such as wood, stone, metal or concrete. Examples include bulkheads, docks and seawalls.
Subclasses-
High Energy - The shore is exposed to high wave action or strong currents.
- Moderate Energy
- The shore is partially protected from high wave action or is exposed to moderate currents.
- Low Energy
- The shore is protected from wave action and currents are low.
Terms
Flora
- Heavy Cover
- Flora covers 75% or more of the substrate.
- Moderate Cover
- Flora covers approximately 50% of the substrate.
- Light Cover
- Flora covers 25% or less of the ubstrate.
- Sparse
- Individual plants are scattered about.
Fauna
Abundant
- There are more than ten individuals per square foot.
- Present
- There are between one and ten individuals per square foot.
- Scattered
- There are less than one individual per square foot.
- Rare
- An occasional individual is identified.
Sediment
Individual Terms (Size)
Boulder (>2')
Stone (1-2')
Cobble (3"-1')
Gravel (2-3")
Pebble (1/8-2")
Granule (1/16-1/8")
Very Coarse Sand (1-2mm)
Coarse Sand (0.5-1mm)
Medium Sand (0.25-0.5mm)
Fine Sand (0.125-0.25mm)
Very Fine Sand (0.0625-0.125mm)
Silt (0.002-0.0625mm)
Clay (less than 0.002mm)
Collective Terms (Size)
Riprap (angular rock >6")
Gravel (1/16-3")
Sand (0.0625-2mm)
Mud (less than 0.0625)
Special Term
Thatch: The roots and organic debris making up the substrate of salt marshes.
Landforms
- Slope
- Ground that forms a gradual slope, 10-20 degrees.
- Bank
- A steep slope, 20-60 degrees, less than 10' in height.
- Bluff
- A steep slope, 20-60 degrees, more than 10' in height.
- Cliff
- A very steep, vertical or overhanging face of rock or earth, 60-90 degrees.
Structures
- Pier
- A pile or post supported platform extending from shore to the edge of navigable waters primarily used to move passengers and cargo to and from vessels by way of a ramp and float.
- Dock
- A pile, stone or filled bulkhead supported platform, perpendicular to shore and extending into navigable waters primarily used for the loading and unloading of vessels.
- Wharf
- A pile, stone or filled bulkhead supported platform, parallel to shore and extending into navigable waters primarily used for the loading and unloading of vessels.
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