Opportunity for Comment
NECEC Conservation Plan
Comment deadline: June 13, 2025
The Department of Environmental Protection received a condition compliance submission from NECEC Transmission LLC on May 9, 2025 containing a plan to conserve 50,000 acres in the vicinity of Segment 1 of the NECEC project. The submission modifies the condition compliance application submitted by the applicant on November 15, 2021. Although condition compliance applications are not subject to the procedural requirements of the Department's rules, Chapter 2, Processing of Applications and Other Administrative Matters, the Department is soliciting public comment on the application.
The Department will not be conducting a public hearing on the condition compliance application, therefore requests for a public hearing are not being taken into consideration. An appeal of the Departments final decision regarding the proposed conservation plan may be filed with the Board of Environmental Protection or the District Court.
Comments are limited to whether the Conservation Plan meets the requirements of Condition #39 in the final Department order (pdf) (see page 81) and Condition #10 in the July 22, 2022 Board order (pdf) (see pp. 56-57).
Interested parties may submit comments regarding the Conservation Plan to necec.dep@maine.gov by June 13, 2025.
Conservation Plan Submission for comment (pdf)
Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards
Comment deadline: June 30, 2025, 5:00 PM
The federal Clean Water Act requires that states periodically, but at least once every 3 years, hold public hearings for the purpose of reviewing water quality standards and, as appropriate, modifying and developing standards. Maine Statute contains similar language in 38 M.R.S. 464.3.B. This process, known as the Triennial Review, requires consultation with the public and interested state and federal agencies.
Under the Triennial Review, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is preparing updates to water quality standards for the 132nd Legislature in accordance with 38 M.R.S. Section 464.3.B. The Department has compiled documentation containing its initial recommendations on proposals received in response to a request for proposals issued on March 18, 2024. This documentation is available for public comment until 5:00 PM, June 30, 2025. At a virtual meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Department will provide an overview of the proposals and offer an opportunity to provide input. Register for the meeting
For more information and access to the documentation, please visit Maine DEP Triennial Review of Maine's Water Quality Standards.
Comments may be sent to:
Meagan Sims
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Water Quality
State House Station 17
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
2026 Draft Air Monitoring Plan
Comment deadline: June 27, 2025
Maine DEP is required by federal monitoring regulations (40 CFR 58.10) and grant requirements to annually develop its air monitoring network description plan for the next calendar year, post it for at least 30 days for public review and comment, and submit a finalized plan to EPA. Anyone wishing to provide comments on the proposed air monitoring plan for 2026 may send them to David Lemery electronically at David.j.lemery@maine.gov, or in writing to:
David Lemery
Maine DEP Bureau of Air Quality
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
2026 Draft Air Monitoring Plan (PDF)
Lowell Tannery Water Quality Certification
Comment deadline: June 20, 2025, 5:00 PM
On July 29, 2024, KEI (USA) Power Management Inc. submitted an application for a Water Quality Certification (WQC) pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et. seq. for the federal relicensing and continued operation of the Lowell Tannery Hydroelectric Project (Project). The current WQC was issued on July 27, 1983 (#L-8688-35-A-X). Federal regulations require the Department to act on this application within one year, by July 28, 2025.
The Department respectfully requests comments on the Draft WQC by 5:00 PM on June 20, 2025. Please send comments to DEP-Hydropower@maine.gov and reference "Lowell Tannery WQC" in the subject line.