Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 305 - NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT - PERMIT BY RULE
Section 096-305-4 - Replacement of structures

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-305-4

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. Applicability

(1) This section applies to the replacement of an existing permanent structure in, on, or over a coastal wetland, freshwater wetland, great pond, fragile mountain area, or river, stream or brook. Some activities involving maintenance and repair of a permanent structure may not require a permit (see note 2 at the end of this section).

(2) In order to be eligible for this section, the structure must have been in place and functioning as intended within 24 months of the DEP's receipt of the notification form. A permit by rule for replacement is valid for three years from the date of approval.

(3) This section does not apply to the replacement of a structure adjacent to a protected natural resource. (See Section 2: Activities adjacent to protected natural resources.)

(4) This section does not apply to structures located within a sand dune system. (See Section 16: Activities in coastal dune systems.)

(5) This section does not apply to the replacement of a dam or a tidal flood gate.

(6) This section does not apply to an activity that is not or will not be in compliance with the terms and conditions of permits issued under the Site Location of Development Law, 38 M.R.S.A. Sections 481 to 490, the Storm Water Management Law, 38 M.R.S.A. Section 420- D, or the Natural Resources Protection Act, 38 M.R.S.A. Sections 480-A to 480- Z.

(7) This section does not apply to an activity that will not conform to the local shoreland zoning ordinance.

NOTE: Contact the local Code Enforcement Officer for information on local shoreland zoning requirements

B. Submissions

(1) For an activity occurring in tidal waters, notice of approval of timing of the activity from the Department of Marine Resources must be submitted to the DEP with the notification form.

(2) The applicant is required to submit photographs of the area which will be affected by the activity proposed.

(3) Photographs showing the completed project and the affected area must be submitted within 20 days of the activity's completion. The photographs must be sent with a copy of the notification form or labeled with the applicant's name and the town in which the activity took place.

(4) A scaled plan or drawing of the structure to be replaced that includes at a minimum the location, width, length and height of the existing structure.

It is not necessary to have the plan professionally prepared. However, it must be legible and drawn to a scale that provides a clear representation of distances and measurements on the plan.

C. Standards

(1) A replaced structure that is located in, on, or over a protected natural resource may not exceed the dimensions, including height, of the previously existing structure, and may not extend any further into the water body or wetland, except that retaining walls may be reinforced with a facing material not exceeding 6 inch in width or may be replaced with riprap in accordance with Section 8"Shoreline stabilization".

NOTE: Vegetation is the preferred method of erosion control near water bodies. Where the use of vegetation is not feasible, riprap is preferred over retaining walls because it dissipates wave action and is a more stable structure over the long term. The DEP encourages the replacement of retaining walls with riprap, unless the presence of large trees or structures makes its use impractical.

(2) The following measures must be taken to prevent erosion of soil or fill material from disturbed areas into the protected resources:
(a) Staked hay bales or silt fence must be properly installed between the area of soil disturbance and the edge of the resource before the activity begins;

(b) Hay bales or silt fence barriers must be maintained until the disturbed area is permanently stabilized;

(c) Within 7 calendar days following the completion of any soil disturbance, and prior to any storm event, mulch must be spread on any exposed soils;

(d) All disturbed soils must be permanently stabilized; and

(e) Within 30 days of final stabilization of the site, any silt fence must be removed.

NOTE: For guidance on erosion and sedimentation controls, consult the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs, dated March 2003. This handbook and other references are available from the DEP.

(3) Disturbance of wetland vegetation must be avoided if possible. If wetland vegetation must be disturbed during the activity, it must be reestablished immediately upon completion of the activity and must be maintained.

(4) Non-native wetland plants may not be planted in disturbed areas.

(5) Work done in a river, stream or brook must allow for fish passage and the maintenance of normal stream flows at all times of year and may not impound water.

(6) No dredging may take place during the activity and no material may be removed from the affected natural resource except that rocks that were part of the original structure may be removed or reused.

(7) Work below the high water line of a great pond, river, stream or brook must be done at low water, except as required for emergency flood control work. Measures, such as a silt boom or staked fencing, must be employed to reduce and isolate turbidity.

(8) If the activity occurs within tidal waters, the activity must occur during the time period approved by the Department of Marine Resources.

(9) If work is performed in a river, stream or brook that is less than three feet deep at the time of the activity and at the location of the activity, the applicant must provide for temporary diversion of flow to the opposite side of the channel while work is in progress.
(a) Diversion may be accomplished by placing sandbags, timbers, sheet steel, concrete blocks, 6+ mil polyethylene or geotextiles from the bank to midstream on the upstream side of the activity. No more than two-thirds (2/3) or 25 feet of stream width, whichever is less, may be diverted at one time.

(b) Any material used to divert water flow must be completely removed upon completion of the activity, and the stream substrate must be restored to its original condition.

(c) A pump may be operated, where necessary, for a temporary diversion. The pump outlet must be located and operated such that erosion or the discharge of sediment to the water is prevented.

(10) Wheeled or tracked equipment may not be operated in the water. Equipment operating on the shore may reach into the water with a bucket or similar extension. Equipment may cross streams on rock, gravel or ledge bottom.

(11) All wheeled or tracked equipment that must travel or work in a vegetated wetland area must travel and work on mats or platforms in order to protect wetland vegetation.

(12) All debris or excavated material must be stockpiled either outside the wetland or on mats or platforms. Hay bales, silt fence or mulch must be used, where necessary, to prevent sedimentation. Any debris generated during the activity must be prevented from washing downstream and must be removed from the wetland or water body. Disposal of debris must be in conformance with Maine Hazardous Waste, Septage and Solid Waste Management Act, 38 M.R.S.A. Section 1301et seq.

(13) Uncured concrete may not be placed directly into the water. Concrete must be pre-cast and cured at least three weeks before placing in the water, or where necessary, must be placed in forms and cured at least one week before the forms are removed. No washing of tools, forms, etc. may occur in or adjacent to the waterbody or wetland.

(14) The use of untreated lumber is preferred. Lumber pressure treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) may be used only if necessary and only if use is allowed under federal law and not prohibited from sale under 38 M.R.S.A. §1682, and provided it is cured on dry land in such a manner as to expose all surfaces to the air for a period of at least 21 days prior to construction. Wood treated with creosote or pentachlorophenol may not be used where the wood will come in contact with water.

(15) The replaced structure may not interfere with, or reduce the opportunity for, existing navigational and recreational uses of the site.

D. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1) Dam. Any man-made artificial barrier, including appurtenant works, the site on which it is located and appurtenant rights of flowage and access, that impounds or diverts a river, stream or brook or great pond.

(2) Dredge. To move or remove, by digging scooping or suctioning any sand, silt, mud, gravel, rock, or other material from the bottom of a water body or wetland surface.

(3) Fill.
a. (verb) To put into or upon, supply to, or allow to enter a water body or wetland any earth, rock, gravel, sand, silt, clay, peat, or debris;

b. (noun) Material, other than structures, placed in or adjacent to a water body or wetland.

(4) Land adjacent to a protected natural resource. Any land area within 75 feet, measured horizontally, of the normal high water line of a great pond, river, stream or brook or the upland edge of a coastal wetland or freshwater wetland.

(5) Public works project. Afederal, state or local government, or state-regulated utility project for public use or service including, but not limited to, highways, dams, bridges, utility lines, water lines, sewerage, and recreational facilities such as boat launch facilities.

(6) Replacement. Any activity that results in more than 50% of a structure being restored or reconstructed whether above or below the normal high water line.

(7) Retaining wall. A vertical or near vertical structure generally constructed of wood, concrete or rock or a combination of these materials and located at or below the normal high water line.

(8) Riprap. Heavy, irregularly-shaped rocks that are fit into place, without mortar, on a slope. Square or rectangular rocks with flat faces, such as quarry stone or manufactured blocks, do not qualify as "irregularly-shaped".

(9) Structure. Anything built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, goods or property of any kind, together with anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on or in the ground. Examples of structures include buildings, utility lines and roads.

(10) Non-native wetland plants. Wetland grasses, forbs, shrubs, or trees not native to the State of Maine, for example, common reed (Phragmites communis) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

NOTES:

(1) Section 480- Q(15-A) of the NRPA exempts the installation, removal or repair of a septic system from permitting requirements as of March 1, 1995, as long as the system complies with all requirements of the subsurface wastewater disposal rules adopted by the Department of Human Services under 22 M.R.S.A. Section 42, subsection 3.

(2) Section 480- Q(2) of the NRPA exempts from permitting the maintenance and minor repair of structures in, on, over or adjacent to a protected natural resource and maintenance and minor repair of private crossings of a river, stream or brook provided:
(a) Erosion control measures are taken to prevent sedimentation of the water;

(b) The crossing does not block fish passage in the water course;

(c) There is not additional intrusion into the protected natural resources; and

(d) The dimensions of the repaired structure do not exceed the dimensions of the structure as it existed 24 months prior to the repair.

Section 480- Q(2) does not apply to the repair of more than 50% of a structure located in a coastal sand dune system; the repair of more than 50% of a dam, unless that repair has been approved by a representative of the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service; or the repair of more than 50% of any other structure, unless the municipality in which the proposed activity is located requires a permit for the activity through an ordinance adopted pursuant to the mandatory shoreland zoning laws and the application for a permit is approved by the municipality.

(3) Section 480- Q(2-B) of the NRPA exempts from permitting the replacement of a floating dock with another floating dock if the dimensions of the replacement dock do not exceed those of the dock being replaced and the configuration of the replacement dock is the same as the dock being replaced.

(4) Section 480- Q(9) of the NRPA exempts from permitting emergency repair or normal maintenance and repair of existing public works which affect any protected natural resource. An activity which is exempt under this subsection shall employ erosion control measures to prevent sedimentation of any surface water, shall not block fish passage in any water course and shall not result in any additional intrusion of the public works into the protected natural resource. This exemption does to apply to any activity on an outstanding river segment as listed in section 480- P.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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