2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 38: WATERS AND NAVIGATION › Chapter 3: PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATERS › Subchapter 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOARD › Article 6: SITE LOCATION OF DEVELOPMENT › 38 §486-B. General permit authority; Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority developments

§486-B. General permit authority; Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority developments
1.  Authorization.
The department may issue a general permit for all or a subclass of developments constructed or caused to be constructed or operated or caused to be operated by the Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority that require approval pursuant to this article.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
2.  Standards.
A development authorized by a general permit is required to meet all applicable requirements under and rules adopted pursuant to this article. In a general permit the department may:
A. Rely upon the Department of Transportation’s or the Maine Turnpike Authority's environmental procedures and standard practices for purposes of approving a development if the department determines that such practices meet or exceed the requirements of and rules adopted pursuant to this article. This reliance may occur although the Department of Transportation’s or the Maine Turnpike Authority's environmental procedures and standard practices have not been adopted through rulemaking and minor changes to such procedures and practices occur without prior review by the department;   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
B. Provide for reduced submissions or less review than would otherwise be required for an individual permit; and   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
C. Set forth specific requirements, terms and conditions.   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
For purposes of any enforcement under this subsection, the department may rely upon the standards of and rules adopted pursuant to this article, although the department may have relied upon the Department of Transportation’s or the Maine Turnpike Authority's environmental procedures and standard practices for purposes of approval.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
3.  Review.
The department may approve:
A. A specific development upon receipt and review of a notice of intent under subsection 4, paragraph A to comply with standards in the general permit for the specific development from the Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority; or   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
B. A notice of intent under subsection 4 prior to receipt of a final design for a development, as long as any requirements in a general permit for the approval are met.   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
4.  Procedure.
Procedures for a general permit under this section include:
A. A notice of intent must be submitted on a form provided by the department and contain information required by the department that is necessary to determine whether standards will be met; and   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
B. If a general permit provides for approval of a notice of intent under paragraph A prior to submission of final designs to the department, then following submission of the designs the department may require that changes in design be made where necessary to conform with applicable standards.   [PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
The Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority may choose to apply for an individual permit for a development rather than file a notice of intent under paragraph A.
The department may require the Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority to file for an individual permit for a development that would otherwise be authorized to file a notice of intent under paragraph A as provided for in the general permit.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
5.  Approval.
A development authorized under a general permit is considered to be approved by the department upon approval by the department of a notice of intent under subsection 4, paragraph A. The permit must include the text of the general permit and the department’s approval of the notice of intent under subsection 4. The department may condition its approval of the notice of intent as necessary to ensure compliance with standards under a general permit.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
6.  Fee.
The department may not charge a fee for processing and approval of a notice of intent under subsection 4, paragraph A.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
7.  Modification of general permit.
Notwithstanding section 341‑D, the department may modify a general permit through notification of the Department of Transportation or the Maine Turnpike Authority. The department shall modify a general permit whenever rules adopted pursuant to this article are enacted or modified and may modify a general permit as otherwise necessary to provide for efficient administration and conformance with department standards.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
8.  Modification of notice of intent.
The department shall provide for application and approval of modification of the notice of intent in any general permit.
[PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2009, c. 293, §3 (NEW).