Opinion ID: 1901610
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Natural Resources Protection Act

Text: [¶ 10] The Maine Legislature enacted the NRPA to regulate the alteration of resources of state significance, including coastal wetlands. 38 M.R.S. § 480-A (2005). In establishing the purpose of the NRPA, the Legislature acknowledged that  uses are causing the rapid degradation and, in some cases, the destruction of these critical resources. Id. (emphasis added). In order to prevent such degradation and destruction, the Legislature instructed the Department of Environmental Protection to provide coordination and vigorous leadership to develop programs to achieve the purposes of this article. Id. Recognizing that the cumulative effect of frequent minor alterations and occasional major alterations of these resources poses a substantial threat to the environment and economy of the State and its quality of life, id., the NRPA requires permits for certain activities, including [a]ny construction, repair or alteration of any permanent structure that is located in, on or over any protected natural resource, 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-C(1), (2). The Board of Environmental Protection is statutorily granted the authority to approve or deny permits in certain circumstances, including when an application has generated substantial public interest. 38 M.R.S. § 341-D(2) [¶ 11] The NRPA establishes that the Board shall grant a permit when it finds that the applicant has demonstrated that the proposed activity meets the following standards. 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-D (Supp. 1999). The statute then lists nine standards to be applied in reviewing a permit application, including: 3. Harm to habitats; fisheries. The activity will not unreasonably harm any significant . . . aquatic habitat . . . or other aquatic life. 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-D(3) (1989 & Supp. 1999).