Search by Habitat Type

Use the table below to search for State Wildlife Action Plan information on conservation actions and stressors for habitats. Additional cross-species and programmatic actions can be found in Element 4 of the Action Plan.

Habitat Conservation Actions Stressors
Coastal
  1. Develop and implement best management practices or beach management agreements with municipalities and beach managers;
  2. Implement predator control programs near nesting areas;
  3. Implementation of agency recommendations that mitigate impacts through permit review process;
  4. Municipalities identify important nesting and migratory areas during comprehensive planning effort;
  5. Protection of upland area through acquisition, easements, municipal planning that will allow coastal habitats to migrate inland as sea level occurs;
  6. Provide outreach to recreationalists regarding effects of human disturbance on beach nesting birds and roosting/feeding shorebirds;
  7. Research and identify management actions that may minimize impacts from climate change;
  8. Use of voluntary agreements, conservation easements, tax abatements and incentives and acquisition to protect important habitats
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Other Ecosystem Modifications;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Storms and Flooding;
  • Temperature Extremes;
  • Tourism and Recreational Areas
Floodplain Forests
  1. ID 'killer' invasives on our doorstep and pre-treat;
  2. Use water bond funds to restore hydrologic connections to floodplains isolated by roads;
  3. account for deer impacts to So. Maine habitats during 2015 deer management planning process;
  4. champion current use taxation;
  5. conserve at-risk high value floodplains using a variety of approaches (easements, acquisitions);
  6. consider mapping significant wildlife habitat within floodplains;
  7. develop state landowner incentive programs;
  8. do outreach on communitybenefits derived from floodplains;
  9. encourage conservation owners to address floodplains in management plans;
  10. ensure consideration of floodplain buffer in state funds for agriculture;
  11. find sources of non-federal match for federal programs offering riparian easements (e.g., USDA-Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program);
  12. identify and add high value floodplains to Beginning with Habitat maps;
  13. if needed, develop Habitat Management Guidelines for sensitive floodplain SGCN;
  14. improve non-federal match ratio;
  15. promote floodplain forest management/protection in forest certification program;
  16. provide high value floodplain location information to municipalities and land trusts;
  17. review agricultural Best Management Practices for floodplain SGCN considerations;
  18. review current Maine Forestry Best Management Practicies for floodplain forest SGCN considerations;
  19. support habitat incentive programs with technical assistance;
  20. support statewide invasive species monitoring and education program;
  21. use land acquisition $ as match for habitat incentive program;
  22. work with forest landowners to implement revised Habitat Management Guidelines
  • Agricultural and Forestry Effluents;
  • Annual and Perennial Non-timber crops;
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Dams and Water Management/Use;
  • Domestic and Urban Waste Water;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Industrial and Military Effluents;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Logging and Wood Harvesting;
  • Problematic Native Species/Diseases;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Freshwater Marshes
  1. Conserve buffers using fee acquisition and easements (permanent and term);
  2. Conserve wetlands using fee acquisition and easements (permanent and term);
  3. Develop water control level standards for WMA's;
  4. ID high priority road segments/culverts for organism passage;
  5. Provide incentives for agricultural practices that benefit marshes;
  6. Provide information to municipalities and land trusts on high priority wetlands and road segments;
  7. Target invasive species control at high value wetlands
  • Agricultural and Forestry Effluents;
  • Annual and Perennial Non-timber crops;
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Domestic and Urban Waste Water;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Livestock Farming and Ranching;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Grassland-shrubland-early Successional
  1. Develop Best Management Practicies for retaining a shrub component around agricultural fields;
  2. add a stronger stewardship component to BwH (land trusts, community);
  3. assist municipal planning to identify key areas for conservation;
  4. better and more signage promoting conservation of these habitats and associated species;
  5. better communication tools and training on grassland/shrubland habitat conservation;
  6. conserve grass/shrubland habitats using a variety of approaches (permanent and term easements;
  7. land acquisition);
  8. establish and promote demonstration areas;
  9. establish protections for landowners managing for SGCN (e.g., Safe Harbor Agreements);
  10. focus conservation in areas not in conflict with economics/practices;
  11. for public outreach, incorporate more information on multiple species (e.g., not just NEC) that are declining due to lack of suitable habitat;
  12. map existing ruderal habitats;
  13. map potential ruderal habitats;
  14. promote Integrated Pest Management to reduce pesticide use in blueberry barrens;
  15. promote management on conservation lands, WMAs. eEtc;
  16. provide better forgone income incentives (e.g., deferred harvest of hay, deferred grazing of portions of pasture, harvest trees earlier than usual);
  17. reinforce good management practices by utilities in cooridors;
  18. reseach what is needed to establish term easements;
  19. research/ID explicit areas and amounts needed to conserve target SGCN;
  20. support landowner incentive programs with technical assistance;
  21. target outreach to Soil Water Conservation Districts, Maine Farmland Trust, landowners;
  22. work with municipalities/towns to reduce zoning conflicts that impede needed habitat management
  • Annual and Perennial Non-timber crops;
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Other Ecosystem Modifications;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Headwaters and Creeks
  1. Develop BMPS for riparian management in forest lands;
  2. Educate forest landowners on the value of maintaining >
  3. 60% tree cover in watersheds with high value coldwater fish habitats;
  4. Encourage improved road maintance to reduce road gravel input into streams;
  5. Encourate wood addition as a management objective for riparian areas;
  6. Enforce existing riparian protection laws and rules;
  7. Identify high value native coldwater fish habitats that may be vulnerable to watershed scale hydrology effects due to tree loss;
  8. Research whether existing provide adequate riparian protection
Intertidal
  1. Altered shipping lanes and dredging plans that take into account ecological and biological considerations;
  2. At popular sites, increase education of sensitive ecosystems, invasive species, etc.;
  3. Baywide (or scale of ecological relevance) mgmt and education;
  4. Coastal acidification budget to determine which factors (i.e. point, non-point source pollution, atmospheric CO2, etc.) are most important in driving acidification nearshore;
  5. Continued/expanded litter reduction programs/education for the public;
  6. Continued/expanded marine debris recovery programs and education to fishermen;
  7. Determine accuracy of harvester and dealer reported landings for target species and bycatch;
  8. Develop BMPs for maintaining energy facilities;
  9. Develop better understanding of effect of climate change on species and ecosystem interactions;
  10. Develop coastal focus areas with specific cons actions;
  11. Develop monitoring systems and rapid response plans to prevent the colonization of invasive/problematic species and diseases;
  12. Education (technique, problems, ecological effects), specifically, education and outreach through local meetings, trainings (eg Stream Smart), and publicizing completed projects;
  13. Encourage local wardens to monitor areas for misuse;
  14. Encourage lower cost of construction, through technology development and transfer of technology;
  15. Encourage partnership projects especially in cases where structures have different purposes for different groups;
  16. Expand existing education and research at the mgmt level to improve understanding and mgmt ability;
  17. Expand existing education or incentives to change behavior (for lawn care companies, homeowners, and municipalities);
  18. Explore value of utilizing conservation leases (to limit uses/stresses);
  19. Habitat restoration or land conservation (eg dunes, stream buffers), improve conservation mgmt at state and municipal levels;
  20. Identification and conservation of local OA or SST refuges and resilient species;
  21. Improve understanding of effects of energy development on bird and wildlife use of migration corridors;
  22. Improve understanding of non-commercially harvested species;
  23. Improve understanding of species distribution esp. in regards to ecosystem interactions and predator prey relationships;
  24. Improved information about species habitat use and migration patterns to be used when siting projects;
  25. Improved knowledge of potential impacts and communication of results to public;
  26. Improved mgmt through designation of conserved areas and rotational mgmt (eg scallops);
  27. Improved modeling of SLR and storm surge at local scales for improved planning at the municipal level;
  28. Improved municipal planning and regulation for siting for new or retrofitting development (ie smart growth) taking into account future environmental change;
  29. Improved offshore mapping and species movement data and data about mortality due to turbines;
  30. Improved site identification and permitting process based on information on ecologically sensitive areas;
  31. Improved technology to prevent individuals from escaping and/or mating with native populations;
  32. Incentives/education regarding green infrastructure for preventing erosion and loss/damage of property;
  33. Increase education about how to prevent the spread of invasive/problematic species and diseases;
  34. Increase enforcement of current laws and regs regarding proper construction, maintenance, and WQ and fish passage;
  35. Increase pH of mudflats (eg using harvested shell waste);
  36. Increase riparian and coastal buffer zones by limiting development in these areas to 1) minimize damage to these properties due to flooding/waves and 2) maintain pervious surfaces for improved water management;
  37. Increased capacity for local, science based mgmt that fosters partnerships among harvesters, citizens, scientists, and managers;
  38. Increased enforcement for dumping/litter/gear abandonment;
  39. Increased leadership and education regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation;
  40. Investigate the effect of various harvesting practices on the habitat in which it occurs and effects on trophic and ecological systems;
  41. Map habitat and compare to historical maps to monitor change over time, may require updating mapping plans to map more frequently;
  42. Mitigate coastal acidification using strategies outlined above for effluents/waste water;
  43. Permitting requirements for new and retrofitted development updated with up-to-date data/models of climate predictions;
  44. Post signs describing specific usage constraints (e.g. avoid certain areas during breeding seasons, pick up dog waste, dont disturb flora and fauna);
  45. Provide incentives for building Streamsmart structures and road s and crossings that allow for changing environmental conditions like sea-level rise and increased flooding;
  46. Purchase of undeveloped shoreline and adjacent areas for publically-owned parks, conservation areas, or marsh migration corridors;
  47. Research to support effective mgmt, including stock assessments, population genetics, population monitoring, etc.;
  48. Research to understand impacts on both non-commercial and commercially important species;
  49. diversification of fisheries in Maine;
  50. Retrofitting and planning for sea level rise (economic incentives, education);
  51. Road/dam decommissioning when roads and dams are no longer used for intended purpose, eg woods roads or remnant dams;
  52. Stewardship/conservation incentives for harvesters;
  53. Strengthen regulations and enforcement of preventive measures in the shipping, transportation, and other industries;
  54. Use of less harmful fishing gear (eg bycatch reduction and not disturbing habitat), encourage discussions b/w harvesters, ecologists, and managers;
  55. Using technology to reduce discharge;
  56. Utilize Transportation Bonds to provide funding for culvert replacement using best management practices;
  57. improved response plans for industrial spills (eg oil spills), research needed regarding oil dispersants and short and long term effect of oil spills
  • 1) Agricultural and Forestry Effluents;
  • 2) Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • 3) Dams and Water Management/Use;
  • Domestic and Urban Waste Water;
  • Fishing and Harvesting of Aquatic Resources;
  • Garbage and Solid Waste;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Industrial and Military Effluents;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Lack of knowledge;
  • Livestock Farming and Ranching;
  • Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture;
  • Problematic Native Species/Diseases;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Renewable Energy;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Shipping Lanes;
  • Storms and Flooding;
  • Temperature Extremes;
  • Utility and Service Lines;
  • Viral/Prion-induced Diseases
Northern Forests and Swamps
  1. Application of existing land-use standards;
  2. Assess conserved lands for climate change resiliancy;
  3. Conservation partners support / maintain tree growth tax law (loss, modification may result in development);
  4. Conserve habitat via acquisition, easement, lease;
  5. Consider alternate chemicals or techniques / spruce budworm;
  6. Continue invasive, problematic, disease monitoring / forest insect pests;
  7. Continue long-term monitoring of habitat and species;
  8. Continue long-term monitoring of species and habitats;
  9. Continue stewardship / habitat monitoring on conserved lands;
  10. Education and outreach to public and landowners;
  11. Education and outreach to recreationalists;
  12. Enhanced fire supression;
  13. Further study to better understand and mitigate climate change impacts;
  14. Habitat conservation via acquisition, easement, lease;
  15. IFW engagement with forest certification;
  16. IFW involvement in discussion of MFPA;
  17. encourage out-come based forestry for landscape scale habitat management;
  18. IFW particapte in out-come based forestry;
  19. Identify and conserve boreal forest refugia;
  20. Increase enforcement;
  21. Increase outreach and education to public and landowners;
  22. Outreach and education for recreationists, public;
  23. Provide landowner incentives for SGCN management;
  24. Provide landowners incentives for SGCN management;
  25. Public outreach and education (forest management AND societal consumption of forest products)
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Fire and Fire Suppression;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Logging and Wood Harvesting;
  • Problematic Native Species/Diseases;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Renewable Energy;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Tourism and Recreational Areas;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Pine Barrens
  1. Champion endangered species policy the supports habitat management;
  2. Champion property tax incentives to encourage habitat management on private land;
  3. Change state fire management liability policy to allow prescribes burns near private land;
  4. Develop outreach / education to municipal planners and land trusts on the importance of pine barrens habitat;
  5. Habitat conservation via acquisition;
  6. Promote inter-agency prescribed fire training;
  7. Provide cost-share for mechanical treatments where fire management is not practical;
  8. Recognize landowners for effective habitat management;
  9. Secure stable funding for fire manaagement;
  10. Use MOUS and partnerships to increase fire management capacity;
  11. Use a variety of easement types to 1) acquire barrens or 2) buffers surrounding barrens
  • Annual and Perennial Non-timber crops;
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Fire and Fire Suppression;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Mining and Quarrying;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Rocky Coast
  1. Deploy armoring structures at high value nesting areas where rocky coast migration is not possible;
  2. Identify conservation and restoration opportunities at historic but currently unused nesting sites;
  3. Identify conservation and restoration opportunities to allow for rocky coast habitat migration to higher elevations;
  4. Identify invasive plant hot spots;
  5. Implement invasive species eradication programs, where appropriate (e.g., not in areas where invasive plants provide suitable cover and the likelihood of reestablishing native plants is low), and encourage growth of native species;
  6. Increased enforcement of shipping activities, safe operational procedures, and spill clean-up and rehabilitation of oiled birds;
  7. Siting of shipping lanes away from important nesting, migration or wintering areas;
  8. Permanent or seasonal closure of shorebird roosting areas and seabird nesting islands;
  9. Through regulation or volunteer agreements implement mile buffer around nesting and roosting habitat;
  10. Erect signage on important nesting and roosting areas;
  11. Identify and prioritize significant nesting, migratory and wintering areas for contingency planning;
  12. Implement predator control programs near nesting areas;
  13. Implementation of agency recommendations through permit review process;
  14. Keep boat activity 660 from nesting island;
  15. Municipalities identify important nesting, migratory and wintering areas during comprehensive planning effort;
  16. Oil spill contingency planning and response efforts including purchasing survey and hazing equipment;
  17. Provide outreach to recreationalists regarding effects of human disturbance on nesting colonies and roosting shorebirds;
  18. Seasonal closure of nesting and roosting areas through regulation or acquisition;
  19. Use of voluntary agreements, conservation easements, tax abatements and incentives and acquisition to protect important habitats
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Fishing and Harvesting of Aquatic Resources;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Industrial and Military Effluents;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Shipping Lanes;
  • Storms and Flooding
Rocky Summits-Outcrops-Mountaintops
  1. Assess conserved lands for climate change resiliency;
  2. Continue habitat / recreational monitoring stewardship on conserved lands;
  3. Further study to better understand and mitigate climate change impacts;
  4. Outreach and education to recreationists
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Recreational Activities
South-Central Forests and Swamps
  1. Account for deer / beaver impacts to habitat during 2015 species management planning process;
  2. Collaborate with on-going invasive species eradication / early identification efforts;
  3. Conserve habitats using a variety of approaches: easemnent, acquisition;
  4. Consider alternate chemicals or techniques;
  5. Continue invasive / problematic / disease monitoring;
  6. Develop and distribute habitat management guidelines;
  7. Develop outreach location information for land trusts, municipalities, landowners;
  8. Identify, map, and provide habitat information to public;
  9. Increase deer hunting / beaver trapping opportunity;
  10. Increase outreach / education to public / landowners / hunters and trappers (over-abundant deer, beaver);
  11. Increase outreach / education to landowners and public;
  12. Partner with MDOT to identify invasive hotspots along roads and bridges;
  13. Provide landowner incentives for SGCN management;
  14. Provide spatial information on invasives to landowners, towns, land trusts;
  15. Undertake long-term monitoring of species and habitats
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Logging and Wood Harvesting;
  • Problematic Native Species/Diseases;
  • Problematic Species/Diseases of Unknown Origin;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Streams, Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds
  1. Educate horticulturalists and landscape architects on the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation during the course of their work;
  2. Educate town planning boards on the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation to prevent declines in water quality;
  3. Encourage alternative road routes that do not interferw with streams or riparian areas;
  4. Investigate alternative technologies to promote passage of aquatic organisms;
  5. Apply State Streamflow Standards to Dams*;
  6. Complete a statewide inventory of crossings, including on headwater streams;
  7. Conduct a statewide inventory of dams, including on headwater streams;
  8. Conduct research on the economic impact of invasive species, mitigation strategies, and containment strategies;
  9. Conduct research to determine the adequacy of current laws in maintaining effective riparian buffers near residential development*;
  10. Conduct statewide/watershed scale connectivity planning;
  11. Construct crossings to pass storm flows and ensure enduring AOP;
  12. Construct wetlands to buffer waterways from wastewater contamination;
  13. Continue Stream Smart Training;
  14. Continue advanced AOP training;
  15. Continue bond funding for municipalities to implement road stream crossing improvements;
  16. Decrease the amount of input into wastewater treatment facilities (i.e. does storm water need the same treatment as sewage?);
  17. Develop 'best management practices' for development near waterways;
  18. Develop Safety Standards for dams and corresponding enforcement, in order to reduce the number of unmaintained dams by encouraging removal*;
  19. Develop a State road stream crossing testoration program with dedicated staff;
  20. Develop a dam registry to ensure that dams are identified and mapped;
  21. Develop a process to expedite dam removal and reduce the regulatory burden, particularly for small, dilapidated dams;
  22. Develop better methods to map potential barriers in priority watersheds;
  23. Develop financial incentives to discourage development near waterways, and/or to encourage consideration of water quality issues;
  24. Develop financial incentives to encourage homeowners near lake/river shores to replace their old septic systems;
  25. Develop financial incentives to encourage landowners to remove dams;
  26. Develop financial incentives to encourage municipalities to increase the capacity of their treatment facilities;
  27. Develop monitoring standards for fish passage efficiency;
  28. Develop standards for new/replacement road stream crossings;
  29. Educate and encourage dam operators on ways to facilitate fish passage at dams;
  30. Educate code enforcement officers and town planners on current regulations related to wastewater discharge;
  31. Educate dam owners and the public about the benefits of removing dams in some circumstances;
  32. Educate horticulturalists and landscape architects on the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation during the course of their work;
  33. Educate residents living on lake or river shores on the importance of maintaining riparian buffers, including options that allow water views (i.e. unmowed grass, shrubs);
  34. Educate town planning boards on the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation to prevent declines in water quality;
  35. Encourage information exchange forums such as FIN and SWOAM;
  36. Encourage the use of temporary and permanent bridges rather than culverts;
  37. Enhance coordination of agencies and NGOs to facilitate road stream crossing improvements;
  38. Expand efforts to suppress and control invasive species, including through reclamation of water bodies;
  39. Expand targeted inspections of boats and the pet trade in order to reduce the spread of invasives and raise awareness;
  40. Explore options to ecourage the addition of woody debris to streams and lakes;
  41. Identify and protect Coldwater resilient areas and waterbodies that are not amenable to the spread of invasive species;
  42. Identify funding to construct passage structures at dams;
  43. Identify priority locations for ecological flow management;
  44. Identify technologies that have failed to promote fish passage and 'humiliate them';
  45. Improve enforcement of existing laws related to the transport of invasive species by boats, anglers, and through the pet trade;
  46. Improve fishing regulations related to the undesirable transfer of invasive species*;
  47. Increase habitat surveys & models for road stream crossings;
  48. Increase penalties for infractions of current laws relating to riparian buffers near residential development;
  49. Increase understanding of climate change/infrastructure threats;
  50. Promote native species abundance in order to foster competition that may reduce or slow the spread of invasives;
  51. Provide financial incentives for landowners to maintain riparian buffers;
  52. Provide online tools to prioritize road crossing upgrades;
  53. Reduce the availability of habitats conducive to invasive species i.e. return impoundments to free-flowing river conditions;
  54. Remove dams to reduce impoundments that produce habitat conditions more conducive to warmwater and lotic habitat preferring species;
  55. Require septic inspections when a house sells to ensure that it is functioning properly*;
  56. Research fish behavior and movement to identify ways to improve the design of fish passage structures;
  57. Solicit help from experts in septic system design to determine solutions to septic seepage into waterways;
  58. Streamline permitting process for road crossing upgrades;
  59. Track completed road stream crossing projects;
  60. Train engineers on proper ways to design fish passage structures;
  61. Work with municipalities to increase treatment capacity of wastewater facilities;
  62. Work with municipalities, code enforcement officers, etc. to improve the enforcement of current laws that require riparian buffers
  • Dams and Water Management/Use;
  • Domestic and Urban Waste Water;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Logging and Wood Harvesting;
  • Roads and Railroads
Subtidal
  1. Provide incentives for building Streamsmart structures and road s and crossings that allow for changing environmental conditions like sea-level rise and increased flooding;
  2. Altered shipping lanes and dredging plans that take into account ecological and biological considerations;
  3. Baywide (or scale of ecological relevance) mgmt and education;
  4. Coastal acidification budget to determine which factors (i.e. point, non-point source pollution, atmospheric CO2, etc.) are most important in driving acidification nearshore;
  5. Continue to improve rapid response for oil and gas spills, including state agencies efforts to have most up-to-date species maps, rapid response protocols in place, and regular scenario training;
  6. Continued/expanded litter reduction programs/education for the public;
  7. Continued/expanded marine debris recovery programs and education to fishermen;
  8. Determine accuracy of harvester and dealer reported landings for target species and bycatch;
  9. Develop BMPs for maintaining energy facilities;
  10. Develop better understanding of effect of climate change on species and ecosystem interactions;
  11. Develop coastal focus areas with specific cons actions;
  12. Develop monitoring systems and rapid response plans to prevent the colonization of invasive/problematic species and diseases;
  13. Develop partnerships between anglers, guides, scientists and managers.;
  14. Education (technique, problems, ecological effects), specifically, education and outreach through local meetings, trainings (eg Stream Smart), and publicizing completed projects;
  15. Encourage education about proper catch and release methods to minimize trauma (including barotrauma);
  16. Encourage local wardens to monitor areas for misuse;
  17. Encourage lower cost of construction, through technology development and transfer of technology;
  18. Encourage partnership projects especially in cases where structures have different purposes for different groups;
  19. Encourage proper reporting from charter captains to collect accurate data;
  20. Expand existing education and research at the mgmt level to improve understanding and mgmt ability;
  21. Expand existing education or incentives to change behavior (for lawn care companies, homeowners, and municipalities);
  22. Expand recreational fishing data collection programs to collect accurate and useful data for species management;
  23. Explore value of utilizing conservation leases (to limit uses/stresses);
  24. Habitat restoration or land conservation (eg dunes, stream buffers), improve conservation mgmt at state and municipal levels;
  25. Identification and conservation of local OA or SST refuges and resilient species;
  26. Improve understanding of species distribution esp. in regards to ecosystem interactions and predator prey relationships;
  27. Improve understanding of effects of energy development on bird and wildlife use of migration corridors;
  28. Improve understanding of non-commercially harvested species;
  29. Improved information about species habitat use and migration patterns to be used when siting projects;
  30. Improved knowledge of potential impacts and communication of results to public;
  31. Improved mgmt through designation of conserved areas and rotational mgmt (eg scallops);
  32. Improved modeling of SLR and at local and GOM scales for improved planning;
  33. Improved municipal planning and regulation for siting for new or retrofitting development (ie smart growth) taking into account future environmental change;
  34. Improved offshore mapping and species movement data and data about mortality due to turbines;
  35. Improved site identification and permitting process based on information on ecologically sensitive areas;
  36. Improved technology to prevent individuals from escaping and/or mating with native populations;
  37. Increase education about how to prevent the spread of invasive/problematic species and diseases;
  38. Increase enforcement of current laws and regs regarding proper construction, maintenance, and WQ and fish passage;
  39. Increase pH of mudflats (eg using harvested shell waste);
  40. Increased enforcement for dumping/litter/gear abandonment;
  41. Increased leadership and education regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation;
  42. Increases capacity for local, science based mgmt that fosters partnerships among harvesters, citizens, scientists, and managers;
  43. Investigate offshore changes in circulation patterns, plankton distribution and abundance, and other bio-chemical and physical processes;
  44. Investigate the effect of various harvesting practices on the habitat in which it occurs and effects on trophic and ecological systems;
  45. Map habitat and compare to historical maps to monitor change over time, may require updating mapping plans to map more frequently;
  46. Mitigate coastal acidification using strategies outlined above for effluents/waste water;
  47. Model effects of SLR and other CC factors on species patterns including physiology, migration patterns, and trophic changes;
  48. Research to support effective mgmt, including stock assessments, population genetics, population monitoring, etc.;
  49. Research to understand impacts on both non-commercial and commercially important species;
  50. diversification of fisheries in Maine;
  51. Retrofitting and planning for sea level rise (economic incentives, education);
  52. Road/dam decommissioning when roads and dams are no longer used for intended purpose, eg woods roads or remnant dams;
  53. Site shipping lanes and dredging projects to minimize negative species and habitat impacts;
  54. Stewardship/conservation incentives for harvesters;
  55. Strengthen regulations and enforcement of preventive measures in the shipping, transportation, and other industries;
  56. Time dredging projects to minimize harm to species based on migration and spawning cycles;
  57. Use of less harmful fishing gear (eg bycatch reduction and not disturbing habitat), encourage discussions b/w harvesters, ecologists, and managers;
  58. Using technology to reduce discharge;
  59. Utilize Transportation Bonds to provide funding for culvert replacement using best management practices;
  60. improved response plans for industrial spills (eg oil spills), research needed regarding oil dispersants and short and long term effect of oil spills
  • Agricultural and Forestry Effluents;
  • Dams and Water Management/Use;
  • Domestic and Urban Waste Water;
  • Fishing and Harvesting of Aquatic Resources;
  • Garbage and Solid Waste;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Industrial and Military Effluents;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Lack of knowledge;
  • Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture;
  • Mining and Quarrying;
  • Problematic Native Species/Diseases;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Renewable Energy;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Shipping Lanes;
  • Storms and Flooding;
  • Temperature Extremes;
  • Utility and Service Lines;
  • Viral/Prion-induced Diseases
Tidal Marsh
  1. Provide incentives for building Streamsmart structures and road s and crossings that allow for changing environmental conditions like sea-level rise and increased flooding.;
  2. Build upon and coordinate with existing monitoring efforts to establish a long term tidal marsh monitoring program, with emphasis on assessing sediment dynamics in the context of sea level rise.;
  3. Continue to improve rapid response for oil and gas spills, including state agencies efforts to have most up-to-date species maps, rapid response protocols in place, and regular scenario training.;
  4. Develop and provide model best practice maintenance and operating procedures for municipalities and state and private, e.g. maintenance frequency, replacement schedules.;
  5. Develop monitoring systems and rapid response plans to prevent the colonization of invasive/problematic species and diseases.;
  6. Educate planners, developers, and homeowners about best management practices for site design, property maintenance and landscaping adjacent to tidal marshes and their buffers.;
  7. Educate homeowners and businesses to reduce their wastewater effects, including increased buffers, minimal fertilizer usage, and effects of storm water;
  8. Educate homeowners and municipalities regarding proper installation, maintenance, and removal of septic systems;
  9. Education (technique, problems, ecological effects), specifically, education and outreach through local meetings, trainings (eg Stream Smart), and publicizing completed projects.;
  10. Employ technology to reduce nutrient discharge adjacent to tidal marshes, e.g. storm water remediation measures including SmartSponge, infiltration chambers, and stormwater settling areas.;
  11. Encourage lower cost of construction, through technology development and transfer of technology;
  12. Encourage partnership projects especially in cases where structures have different purposes for different groups (e.g. to maintain connectivity, fish passage, etc.).;
  13. Implement through voluntary or regulatory means best standards for road/stream crossings.;
  14. Improve zoning practices to increase protection of upland buffers adjacent to tidal marshes, particularly where elevations are suitable for tidal marsh migration upslope in response to sea level rise;
  15. Increase education about how to prevent the spread of invasive/problematic species and diseases.;
  16. Increase enforcement of current laws and regs regarding proper construction, maintenance, and WQ and fish passage;
  17. Land conservation areas upland and inland of marsh to allow for marsh migration and maintain habitat continuity.;
  18. Long term monitoring program to track marsh changes over time.;
  19. Maintain or create corridors between tidal marsh areas and other habitats used by marsh species.;
  20. Provide incentives for converting land into tidal marsh or protecting existing tidal marsh;
  21. Re-route existing trails and/or boardwalks around tidal marshes to minimize foot traffic and disturbance;
  22. Research and modeling to predict marsh migration with SLR.;
  23. Research on efficacy of tidal marsh conversion;
  24. Road/dam decommissioning when roads and dams are no longer used for intended purpose, eg woods roads or remnant dams;
  25. Signage to notify the public of the sensitivity of the habitat;
  26. Site shipping lanes and dredging projects to minimize negative species and habitat impacts.;
  27. Strengthen regulations and enforcement of preventive measures in the shipping, transportation, and other industries;
  28. Time dredging projects to minimize harm to species based on migration and spawning cycles;
  29. Utilize Transportation Bonds to provide funding for culvert replacement using best management practices;
  30. Work with land conservation organizations and private landowners to secure permanent protection of tidal marshes, adjacent uplands, and marsh migration corridors.
  • Agricultural and Forestry Effluents;
  • Annual and Perennial Non-timber crops;
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Dams and Water Management/Use;
  • Domestic and Urban Waste Water;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Industrial and Military Effluents;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Livestock Farming and Ranching;
  • Problematic Native Species/Diseases;
  • Recreational Activities;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Shipping Lanes;
  • Storms and Flooding;
  • Utility and Service Lines
Vernal Pools
  1. better integrate social sciences into outreach messaging (e.g., economic benefit of pools, relation to game species, etc.);
  2. conserve high value vernal pool complexes using a variety of approaches (acquisition, easements);
  3. continue work with forestry community on Habitat Management Guidelines;
  4. develop vernal pool organism passage standards for new and existing road crossing structures;
  5. encourage better promulgation of Best Development Practices through outreach programs such as Beginning with Habitat;
  6. identify and implement research opportunities exploring ecosystem requirements of specialized vernal pool taxa;
  7. identify and implement research opportunities for investigating effects of invasive species on vernal pool organisms and hydrology;
  8. identify connectivity hotspots among developable high value vernal pools, pool complexes, and non-breeding habitat;
  9. identify ongoing opportunities/partnerships for invasive plant species management;
  10. research and identify likely climate change impacts to high value vernal pools and incorporate into forestry and municipal Habitat Management Guidelines;
  11. research, develop, and document potential vernal pool map for entire state;
  12. update Beginning with Habitat's roads and riparian connectivity layer and include models specific to vernal pool organisms;
  13. use event-specific (e.g., big night, turtle nesting) outreach to draw greater public attention to vernal pools
  • Commercial and Industrial Areas;
  • Droughts;
  • Habitat Shifting or Alteration;
  • Housing and Urban Areas;
  • Invasive Non-native/Alien Species/Diseases;
  • Logging and Wood Harvesting;
  • Roads and Railroads;
  • Storms and Flooding;
  • Temperature Extremes;
  • Utility and Service Lines

Conservation actions are non-regulatory and were developed collaboratively with public agency, non-profit, and industry conservation partners.