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 096-305-9 - Crossings (utility lines, pipes and cables)

(1) This section applies to the installation, maintenance and replacement of an overhead utility line across a river, stream or brook excluding outstanding river segments identified in 38 M.R.S.A. Section 480- P.

(2) This section applies to the installation, maintenance and replacement of a submerged utility line across a coastal wetland, freshwater wetland, great pond, river, stream, or brook excluding outstanding river segments identified in 38 M.R.S.A. Section 480- P.

(3) This section applies to the installation, maintenance and replacement of an overhead utility line across or adjacent to a coastal wetland, freshwater wetland or great pond provided the line is within the right-of-way of, or adjacent to the path of, an existing traveled way.

(4) This section does not apply to a submerged utility crossing that is part of a larger project involving multiple crossings of a natural resource or more than one natural resource. Projects consisting of multiple natural resource crossings must obtain an individual permit under the Natural Resources Protection Act.

(5) 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.

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

(1) Contact the local Code Enforcement Officer for information on local shoreland zoning requirements.

(2) In a great pond, the placement of water lines to serve a single-family house or the installation of cables for utilities, such as telephone and power cables, is exempt from NRPA permit requirements under 38 M.R.S.A. Section 480-Q(1) provided that the:

(3) Approval for crossing any state-owned (submerged) land must be obtained from the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, State House Station 22, Augusta, ME 04333.

(4) A permit will be required from the US Army Corps of Engineers for the following types of projects:

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

(2) 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.

(3) For any work involving trenching or disturbance of substrate in a coastal wetland, great pond, river, stream or brook that occurs between October 2 and July 14, notice of approval of the timing of the activity from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Atlantic Salmon Authority and the Department of Marine Resources must be submitted to the DEP with the notification form, unless otherwise approved by the DEP based upon the location of the project. In addition, for a utility crossing of marine or estuarine waters at any time of year, notice of approval of the timing from the Department of Marine Resources must be submitted to the DEP with the notification form.

(1) The following measures must be taken to prevent erosion of soil or fill material from disturbed areas into the resource:

(2) 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.

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

(4) If the activity occurs in a coastal wetland, great pond, river, stream or brook between October 2 and July 14, the activity must occur during the time period approved by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Atlantic Salmon Authority and the Department of Marine Resources.

(5) The trench in and adjacent to the wetland must be refilled with the material that was excavated. The original grading and elevation of the wetland must be restored. Residual fill material must be removed from the wetland or water body and properly stabilized. Pipe bedding material such as crushed stone or sand may be used provided clay dams or synthetic boots are used where appropriate to prevent wetland draining through the bedding material.

(6) Any trench excavation that occurs within a river, stream or brook must be performed either during a period when no water is flowing, or utilize a dry crossing method such as diverting water flow by coffer dam and pumping around the area of excavation. The trench width in any natural resource must be no wider than necessary to install the device.

(7) The crossing may not obstruct any recreational usage of the water body.

(8) Wheeled or tracked equipment may not operate 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.

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

(10) Any debris or excavated material must be stockpiled either outside the wetland or on mats or platforms. Hay bales or silt fence must be used, where necessary, to prevent sedimentation.

(11) 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.

(12) Temporary roads constructed of fill are not allowed in the resource except that fill may be used on top of mats or platforms for equipment access.

(13) 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 to expose all surfaces to the air for a period of at least 21 days prior to construction. Wood treated with creosote or pentachlorophenol must not be used where the wood will come in contact with water.

(14) Blasting in inundated areas is prohibited.

(1) Crossing. Any activity extending from one side to the opposite side of a protected natural resource, or to an island or upland within a protected natural resource whether under, through or over that resource. Such activities include, but are not limited to roads, fords, bridges, culverts, utility lines, water lines, sewer lines and cables, and the clearing and removal of vegetation necessary to install and maintain these crossings.

(2) Fill.

(3) 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.

(4) 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".

(5) 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.

(6) Utility lines, pipes and cables. Wires and pipes providing utility services. The term includes telephone and electric wires, gas, oil, water and sewer pipelines, and their support structures, whether public or private.

(7) 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).