Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 600 - OIL DISCHARGE PREVENTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL RULES FOR MARINE OIL TERMINALS, TRANSPORTATION PIPELINES AND VESSELS › Appendix 096-600-D - NATURAL HAZARDS, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND FLOOD RISK REFERENCE MATERIAL

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The following reference materials and map resources are
				  available to assist with due diligence for any rule requirements associated
				  with natural hazards, climate change, and flood risks. Reports, data, and maps
				  should be reviewed for the location where a project is located to inform a
				  license application or renewal.
Natural Hazards and Climate Change.
The Maine Climate Hub, hosted by the Maine Department of
				  Environmental Protection, is a centralized climate directory of
				  decision-support information and resources to assist with natural hazard risk
				  assessment and planning for climate change. The directory includes scientific
				  assessments of climate change over time in Maine and future scenarios as well
				  as available risk assessment decision support data for temperature,
				  precipitation, coastal and inland flooding, and changes in ocean, aquatic, and
				  terrestrial systems.
Climate Trends & Data.
https://www.maine.gov/dep/sustainability/climate/trends-data.html
Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and its Effects in
				  Maine report (PDF) - Prepared by the Maine Climate Council's Scientific and
				  Technical Subcommittee (STS), this report summarizes the impacts of climate
				  change in Maine and how it might impact our state in the future. The report
				  includes detailed chapters on climate, hydrology, sea level rise and storm
				  surge, and other relevant information for risk assessment and climate change
				  planning.
Flood Risk Information.
Precipitation:
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
				  Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC), United States Geological Survey
				  (USGS), and the Maine Climate Council's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee
				  (STS) have developed and maintain information that can be used for due
				  diligence. Studies and data should be retrieved for precipitation tables,
				  distribution curves, and intensity duration and frequency graphs to look at
				  associated rainfall totals with design storms (including the 24-hour storm,
				  100-year precipitation event).
Precipitation Data from Northeast Regional Climate
				  Center
http://precip.eas.cornell.edu/
Precipitation Data from National Oceanic Atmospheric
				  Administration
https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/index.html
Coastal flooding.
Viewing the 100-year floodplain:
In most areas of Maine, floodplains have been mapped by the
				  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Maps are available at most
				  municipal offices and are also provided by the Maine Floodplain Management
				  Program which is part of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
				  Forestry (under Flood Mapping Resources).
FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer & Flood Insurance
				  Studies.
https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/national-flood-hazard-layer
Maine Flood Hazard Maps.
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/flood/mapping.shtml
Viewing sea level rise:
The Maine Climate Council and Maine Geological Survey have
				  developed and maintain reports and information on sea level rise. Sea level
				  rise scenarios show the different amounts of sea level rise under different
				  greenhouse gas emission scenarios (including intermediate or high emission
				  scenarios). The amount of sea level rise can be mapped to show the different
				  extents and depths of inundation at locations in Maine. The Maine Geological
				  Survey provides coastal hazard map viewers that show flooding from sea level
				  rise, storm surge, hurricanes and other hazards that can be used for planning
				  purposes.
Sea Level Rise Scenarios
Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and its Effects in
				  Maine report (PDF) - for intermediate and high emission scenarios for Maine,
				  reference Sea Level Rise Chapter, pages 71-132.
Sea Level Rise Trend.
https://www.maine.gov/climateplan/climate-impacts/climate-data
Coastal Hazards
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mgs/hazards/coastal/index.shtml
Related seal level rise legislation:
LD 1970,
An Act to Implement Agency Recommendations
				  Relating to Sea Level Rise and Climate Resilience,
Provided Pursuant
				  to Resolve 2021, Chapter 67 (approved April 12, 2022).
Result of Analysis Required by 2021 Public Law,
				  Chapter 67, Resolve, To Analyze the Impact of Sea Level Rise
(January
				  10, 2022). A report to the Legislature by Maine Executive Branch Agencies of
				  the Analysis required by 2021 Public Law, Chapter 67:
https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=6446306&an=1
LD 1572,
To Analyze the Impact of Sea Level
				  Rise
, Public Law, Chapter 67, Resolve (enacted June 16, 2021).
Shoreline Change and Other Site
				  Considerations:
Coastal Sand Dune Geology Maps (Maine Geological
				  Survey)
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mgs/pubs/online/dunes/dunes.htm
Coastal Bluff Maps (Maine Geological Survey)
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mgs/pubs/online/bluffs/bluffs.htm
Beginning with Habitat (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries
				  and Wildlife)
https://beginningwithhabitat.org/index.html