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Title 38, Chapter 3: PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATERS

Subchapter 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOARD

Article 1: ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

38 §361. Organization; compensation; meetings; duties (REPEALED) 
38 §361-A. Definitions 
38 §361-B. Processing applications (REPEALED) 
38 §361-C. Petition for reconsideration (REPEALED) 
38 §361-D. Radioactive waste facilities (REPEALED) 
38 §362. Authority to accept federal funds 
38 §362-A. Experiments and scientific research in the field of pollution and pollution control 
38 §363. Standards of classification of fresh waters (REPEALED) 
38 §363-A. Standards of classification of great ponds (REPEALED) 
38 §363-B. Standards of classification of ground water (REPEALED) 
38 §363-C. Classification for certain hydroelectric impoundments (REPEALED) 
38 §363-D. Waiver or modification of protection and improvement laws 
38 §364. Tidal or marine waters (REPEALED) 
38 §365. Classification procedure (REPEALED) 
38 §366. Cooperation with other departments and agencies (REPEALED) 
38 §367. Classification of surface waters (REPEALED) 
38 §368. -- Inland waters (REPEALED) 
38 §369. -- coastal streams (REPEALED) 
38 §370. -- tidal waters (REPEALED) 
38 §371. -- great ponds (REPEALED) 
38 §371-A. Classification of great ponds (REPEALED) 
38 §371-B. Classification of ground water (REPEALED) 
38 §372. Exceptions 

Article 1-A: GREAT PONDS PROGRAM

38 §380. Findings; purpose (REPEALED) 
38 §381. Great pond defined (REPEALED) 
38 §382. Powers and duties (REPEALED) 
38 §383. Data bank (REPEALED) 
38 §384. Research (REPEALED) 
38 §385. Funds (REPEALED) 
38 §386. Findings; purpose (REPEALED) 
38 §387. Powers and duties (REPEALED) 
38 §388. Data bank (REPEALED) 
38 §389. Research (REPEALED) 
38 §390. Funds (REPEALED) 
38 §390-A. Lake Restoration and Protection Financial Aid Program (REPEALED) 
38 §391. Prohibitions (REPEALED) 
38 §391-A. Prohibitions (REPEALED) 
38 §392. Definitions (REPEALED) 
38 §393. Permit; standards (REPEALED) 
38 §394. Exemptions (REPEALED) 
38 §395. Violations (REPEALED) 
38 §396. Enforcement (REPEALED) 
38 §397. Injunction; restoration (REPEALED) 

Article 1-B: GROUND WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

38 §401. Findings; purpose 
38 §402. Research 
38 §403. Ground water quality 
38 §404. Ground water rights 

Article 1-C: FRESHWATER WETLANDS

38 §405. Statement of findings and purpose (REPEALED) 
38 §406. Definitions (REPEALED) 
38 §407. Identification of freshwater wetlands (REPEALED) 
38 §407-A. Identification of freshwater wetlands (REPEALED) 
38 §408. Prohibitions (REPEALED) 
38 §409. Standards (REPEALED) 
38 §410. Delegation of permit granting authority to municipality (REPEALED) 
38 §410-A. Permits; grants; denials; suspensions (REPEALED) 
38 §410-B. Violations (REPEALED) 
38 §410-C. Enforcement (REPEALED) 
38 §410-D. Exemptions (REPEALED) 
38 §410-E. Fees (REPEALED) 

Article 1-E: MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM

38 §410-F. Marine Environmental Monitoring Program 
38 §410-G. Report required 

Article 1-F: NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION PROGRAM

38 §410-H. Definitions 
38 §410-I. Cooperation with agencies 
38 §410-J. Program implementation 
38 §410-K. Program review 

Article 1-G: LAKES ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION PROGRAM

38 §410-L. Lakes Assessment and Protection Program established 
38 §410-M. Lakes assessment and protection 
38 §410-N. Aquatic nuisance species control 

Article 2: POLLUTION CONTROL

38 §411. State contribution to pollution abatement 
38 §411-A. State contribution to residential overboard discharge replacement projects 
38 §411-B. Planning 
38 §411-C. Maine Clean Water Fund 
38 §412. Grants by State for planning 
38 §412-A. Technical and legal assistance 
38 §412-B. Consultation on waste water disposal 
38 §413. Waste discharge licenses 
38 §414. Applications for licenses 
38 §414-A. Conditions of licenses 
38 §414-B. Publicly owned treatment works 
38 §414-C. Color pollution control 
38 §414-D. Municipal satellite collection systems 
38 §415. Appeals (REPEALED) 
38 §416. Discharge of oil prohibited (REPEALED) 
38 §417. Certain deposits and discharges prohibited 
38 §417-A. Manure spreading 
38 §418. Log driving and storage 
38 §418-A. Protection of the Penobscot River 
38 §418-B. Prohibition on application of fertilizers near great ponds 
38 §419. Cleaning agents and lawn and turf fertilizer containing phosphate banned 
38 §419-A. Prohibition on the use of tributyltin as an antifouling agent 
38 §419-B. Goals for dates of removal of transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls 
38 §419-C. Prevention of the spread of invasive aquatic plants 
38 §419-D. Synthetic plastic microbeads 
38 §419-E. Coal tar sealant products 
38 §420. Certain deposits and discharges prohibited 
38 §420-A. Dioxin monitoring program (REPEALED) 
38 §420-B. Surface water ambient toxic monitoring program 
38 §420-C. Erosion and sedimentation control 
38 §420-D. Storm water management 
38 §420-E. Municipal storm water ordinances; transportation systems 
38 §421. Solid waste disposal areas; location (REPEALED) 
38 §422. Dredging permits (REPEALED) 
38 §423. Discharge of waste from watercraft 
38 §423-A. Discharge of waste from motor vehicles 
38 §423-B. Watercraft sanitary waste pump-out facilities at marinas 
38 §423-C. Registered owner's liability for vehicle illegally discharging waste 
38 §423-D. Graywater and blackwater discharges from commercial passenger vessels 
38 §424. Voluntary water quality monitors 
38 §424-A. Coordination for addressing water quality problems related to subsurface waste water disposal systems in shellfish growing areas 
38 §424-B. Water Quality Improvement Fund 
38 §424-C. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in firefighting or fire-suppressing foam 

Article 2-A: ALTERATION OF RIVERS STREAMS AND BROOKS

38 §425. Prohibited acts (REPEALED) 
38 §426. Special protection for outstanding river segments (REPEALED) 
38 §427. Permits (REPEALED) 
38 §428. Appeal (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 7778) (REPEALED) 
38 §429. Penalties (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 7779) (REPEALED) 
38 §430. Exceptions (REPEALED) 
38 §431. Transfer of files (REPEALED) 

Article 2-B: MANDATORY SHORELAND ZONING

38 §435. Shoreland areas 
38 §436. Definitions (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4811-A) (REPEALED) 
38 §436-A. Definitions 
38 §437. Significant river segments identified (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4811-B) 
38 §438. Municipal control (REPEALED) 
38 §438-A. Municipal authority; state oversight 
38 §438-B. Timber harvesting and timber harvesting activities in shoreland areas; authority of Director of the Bureau of Forestry in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
38 §439. Requirements (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4812-A) (REPEALED) 
38 §439-A. Additional municipal powers, limitations 
38 §439-B. Contractors certified in erosion control 
38 §440. Federal flood insurance (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4812-B) 
38 §440-A. Public access 
38 §441. Code enforcement officers (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4812-C) 
38 §442. Municipal failure to accomplish purposes (REPEALED) 
38 §443. Cooperation (REPEALED) 
38 §443-A. Cooperation; enforcement 
38 §444. Enforcement (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4815) 
38 §444-A. Civil suit 
38 §445. Guidelines for shoreland zoning along significant river segments 
38 §446. Municipal ordinance review and certification 
38 §447. Functionally water-dependent use zones 
38 §448. Municipalities establish commercial fishing and maritime activity zones 
38 §449. Shoreland zoning report to Legislature (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 12, SECTION 4812-D) (REPEALED) 

Article 3: ENFORCEMENT

38 §451. Enforcement generally 
38 §451-A. Time schedule variances 
38 §451-B. Variances (REPEALED) 
38 §452. Forms filed; right of entry; furnishing information 
38 §453. Penalties (REPEALED) 
38 §454. Injunctions, civil and criminal actions (REPEALED) 
38 §455. Sardine processing facilities (REPEALED) 

Article 4: AIR POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT

38 §460. Powers and duties (REPEALED) 
38 §461. Definitions (REPEALED) 
38 §462. Cooperation and penalties (REPEALED) 
38 §463. Ordinances (REPEALED) 

Article 4-A: WATER CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM

38 §464. Classification of Maine waters 
38 §465. Standards for classification of fresh surface waters 
38 §465-A. Standards for classification of lakes and ponds 
38 §465-B. Standards for classification of estuarine and marine waters 
38 §465-C. Standards of classification of ground water 
38 §466. Definitions 
38 §466-A. Sustenance fishing designated use 
38 §467. Classification of major river basins 
38 §468. Classifications of minor drainages 
38 §469. Classifications of estuarine and marine waters 
38 §470. Classification of ground water 

Article 4-B: WATER WITHDRAWAL REPORTING PROGRAM

38 §470-A. Definitions 
38 §470-B. Threshold volumes for reporting 
38 §470-C. Exemptions 
38 §470-D. Filing of reports by users; aggregation of data 
38 §470-E. Water use standards (REPEALED) 
38 §470-F. Local water use policies encouraged 
38 §470-G. Reporting and use of collected data (REPEALED) 
38 §470-H. In-stream flow and water level requirements; rules 

Article 5: ALTERATION OF COASTAL WETLANDS

38 §471. Prohibitions (REPEALED) 
38 §472. Definition (REPEALED) 
38 §473. Permit granting authority (REPEALED) 
38 §474. Permits; standards (REPEALED) 
38 §475. Penalties (REPEALED) 
38 §476. Enforcement (REPEALED) 
38 §477. Injunction; restoration (REPEALED) 
38 §478. Exemptions (REPEALED) 

Article 5-A: NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT

38 §480-A. Findings; purpose; short title 
38 §480-B. Definitions 
38 §480-C. Prohibitions 
38 §480-D. Standards 
38 §480-E. Permit processing requirements 
38 §480-E-1. Delegation of permit-granting authority to Maine Land Use Planning Commission 
38 §480-E-2. Delegation of review authority to the Department of Health and Human Services or to a community public water system 
38 §480-E-3. Delegation of permit-granting authority to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry 
38 §480-F. Delegation of permit-granting authority to municipality; home rule 
38 §480-G. Periodic review of delegated authority 
38 §480-H. Rules; performance and use standards 
38 §480-I. Identification of freshwater wetlands and fragile mountain areas 
38 §480-J. Maps 
38 §480-K. Data bank 
38 §480-L. Research 
38 §480-M. Funds 
38 §480-N. Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund 
38 §480-O. Bulkheads and retaining walls on Scarborough River; permit requirements 
38 §480-P. Special protection for outstanding river segments 
38 §480-Q. Activities for which a permit is not required 
38 §480-R. Violations; enforcement 
38 §480-S. Fee for significant wildlife habitat review 
38 §480-T. Transportation improvements (REPEALED) 
38 §480-U. Cranberry cultivation 
38 §480-V. Applicability 
38 §480-W. Emergency actions to protect threatened property 
38 §480-X. Alterations of freshwater wetlands 
38 §480-Y. Creation of agricultural irrigation ponds 
38 §480-Z. Compensation 
38 §480-AA. Coastal sand dune rules 
38 §480-BB. Significant wildlife habitat; major substantive rules 
38 §480-CC. Significant wildlife habitat; shorebird feeding and roosting areas 
38 §480-DD. Significant wildlife habitat criteria; reduction in certain significant wildlife habitats due to development or topography 
38 §480-EE. Significant wildlife habitat criteria; inland open water 
38 §480-FF. Notification of identification; shorebird nesting, feeding and staging areas 
38 §480-GG. High and moderate value inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat and excavations and quarries authorized pursuant to article 6, 7 or 8-A 
38 §480-HH. General permit for offshore wind energy demonstration project 
38 §480-II. Small-scale wind energy development; permit requirements 
38 §480-JJ. Program to reduce erosion and protect lake water quality (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 38, SECTION 480-II) 
38 §480-KK. Coastal Sand Dune Restoration and Protection Fund 

Article 6: SITE LOCATION OF DEVELOPMENT

38 §481. Findings and purpose 
38 §482. Definitions 
38 §482-A. Noise effect (REPEALED) 
38 §483. Notification required; board action; administrative appeals (REPEALED) 
38 §483-A. Prohibition 
38 §484. Standards for development 
38 §484-A. Unlicensed pits; temporary licensing exemption 
38 §484-B. Additional standards for quarries and excavations 
38 §484-C. Solar energy compensation fee for impact to high-value agricultural land 
38 §484-D. Compensation fee program for renewable energy development 
38 §485. Failure to notify board; hearing; injunctions; orders (REPEALED) 
38 §485-A. Notification required; board action; administrative appeals 
38 §486. Enforcement (REPEALED) 
38 §486-A. Hearings; orders; construction suspended 
38 §486-B. General permit authority; Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority developments 
38 §487. Judicial review (REPEALED) 
38 §487-A. Hazardous activities; transmission lines 
38 §488. Applicability 
38 §489. Municipal review of subdivisions (REPEALED) 
38 §489-A. Municipal review of development 
38 §489-A-1. Department review of development within the unorganized and deorganized areas 
38 §489-B. Uranium and thorium mining 
38 §489-C. Rescission 
38 §489-D. Technical assistance to municipalities 
38 §489-E. Rulemaking 
38 §490. Reclamation (REPEALED) 

Article 7: PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR EXCAVATIONS FOR BORROW, CLAY, TOPSOIL OR SILT

38 §490-A. Definitions 
38 §490-B. Applicability 
38 §490-C. Notice of intent to comply 
38 §490-D. Performance standards 
38 §490-E. Variances 
38 §490-F. Review before expansion 
38 §490-G. Inspections 
38 §490-H. Enforcement and penalties 
38 §490-I. Municipal enforcement; registration 
38 §490-J. Fees 
38 §490-K. Transfer of ownership or operation 
38 §490-L. Exemption from common scheme of development (REPEALED) 
38 §490-M. Erosion control requirements for clay, topsoil, or silt excavations of less than 5 acres 
38 §490-N. Release 

Article 8: PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SMALL ROAD QUARRIES

38 §490-P. Definitions (REPEALED) 
38 §490-Q. Applicability (REPEALED) 
38 §490-R. Notice of intent to comply (REPEALED) 
38 §490-S. Performance standards for quarries (REPEALED) 
38 §490-T. Inspections (REPEALED) 
38 §490-V. Repeal (REPEALED) 

Article 8-A: PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR QUARRIES

38 §490-W. Definitions 
38 §490-X. Applicability 
38 §490-Y. Notice of intent to comply 
38 §490-Z. Performance standards for quarries 
38 §490-AA. Inspections 
38 §490-BB. Enforcement and penalties 
38 §490-CC. Variances 
38 §490-DD. Municipal enforcement; registration 
38 §490-EE. Transfer of ownership or operation; review before expansion; fees 
38 §490-FF. Release 

Article 9: MAINE METALLIC MINERAL MINING ACT

38 §490-LL. Short title 
38 §490-MM. Definitions 
38 §490-NN. Administration and enforcement; rules; regulation by local units of government 
38 §490-OO. Mining permit; application procedure 
38 §490-PP. Mining permit; duration; termination; revocation; transfer; amendment 
38 §490-QQ. Performance, operation and reclamation standards 
38 §490-RR. Financial assurance 
38 §490-SS. Mining and reclamation report 
38 §490-TT. Violations 

Subchapter 2: INTERSTATE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL

Article 1: COMPACT

38 §491. Applicability of provisions -- Article I 
38 §491-A. Reaffirmation of support -- Article I-A 
38 §492. Creation of commission -- Article II 
38 §493. Membership of commission -- Article III 
38 §494. Organization and operation -- Article IV 
38 §495. Standards and classifications -- Article V 
38 §496. Abatement and control of pollution -- Article VI 
38 §496-A. Personnel and programs -- Article VI-A 
38 §496-B. Water quality network -- Article VI-B 
38 §496-C. Limitations -- Article VI-C 
38 §497. Additional controls; pending actions -- Article VII 
38 §498. Appropriations -- Article VIII 
38 §499. Separability of provisions -- Article IX 
38 §500. Negotiation with New York state -- Article X 
38 §501. Effective date -- Article XI 

Article 2: ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

38 §531. Execution by Governor; form of execution 
38 §532. Commissioners; appointment 
38 §533. -- compensation 
38 §534. Reservations and limitations 
38 §535. Appropriations 
38 §536. Interpretation and purpose 
38 §537. Effective date 

Subchapter 2-A: OIL DISCHARGE PREVENTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL

38 §541. Findings; purpose 
38 §542. Definitions 
38 §543. Pollution and corruption of waters and lands of the State prohibited 
38 §544. Powers and duties of the board 
38 §545. Operation without license prohibited 
38 §545-A. Underground oil storage facilities (REPEALED) 
38 §545-B. Registration of transportation of oil in inland areas 
38 §546. Regulatory powers of department 
38 §546-A. State marine oil spill contingency plan 
38 §546-B. Sensitive area identification and protection 
38 §546-C. Wildlife rehabilitation plan 
38 §547. Emergency proclamation; Governor's powers 
38 §548. Removal of prohibited discharges 
38 §549. Personnel and equipment 
38 §550. Enforcement; penalties 
38 §551. Maine Ground and Surface Waters Clean-up and Response Fund 
38 §551-A. Oil Spill Advisory Committee (REPEALED) 
38 §552. Liability 
38 §552-A. Detention of vessels 
38 §552-B. Financial responsibility and facility closure 
38 §553. Interstate Compact, authority 
38 §554. Reports to the Legislature (REPEALED) 
38 §555. Budget approval 
38 §556. Municipal ordinances; powers limited 
38 §557. Construction 
38 §560. Vessels at anchorage 

Subchapter 2-B: OIL STORAGE FACILITIES AND GROUND WATER PROTECTION

38 §561. Findings; purpose 
38 §562. Definitions (REPEALED) 
38 §562-A. Definitions 
38 §563. Registration and inspection of underground oil storage tanks and piping 
38 §563-A. Prohibition of nonconforming underground oil storage facilities and tanks 
38 §563-B. Regulatory powers of department 
38 §563-C. Prohibition on siting new underground oil storage facilities near drinking water supplies (REPEALED) 
38 §564. Regulation of underground oil storage facilities used to store motor fuels or used in the marketing and distribution of oil 
38 §565. Regulation of underground oil storage facilities used for consumption on the premises or by the owner or operator 
38 §565-A. Authority to prohibit product delivery 
38 §566. Abandonment of underground oil storage facilities and tanks (REPEALED) 
38 §566-A. Abandonment of underground oil storage facilities and tanks 
38 §567. Certification of underground tank installers 
38 §567-A. Certifications 
38 §568. Cleanup and removal of prohibited discharges 
38 §568-A. Fund coverage requirements 
38 §568-B. Clean-up and Response Fund Review Board created 
38 §569. Ground Water Oil Clean-up Fund (REPEALED) 
38 §569-A. Ground Water Oil Clean-up Fund (REPEALED) 
38 §569-B. Ground Water Oil Clean-up Fund (REPEALED) 
38 §569-C. Limited exemption from liability for state or local governmental entities 
38 §570. Liability 
38 §570-A. Budget approval (REPEALED) 
38 §570-B. Personnel and equipment (REPEALED) 
38 §570-C. Municipal ordinances; powers limited 
38 §570-D. Transition 
38 §570-E. Legislative review (REPEALED) 
38 §570-F. Special provisions 
38 §570-G. Construction 
38 §570-H. Report; adequacy of fund (REPEALED) 
38 §570-I. Budget approval 
38 §570-J. Personnel and equipment 
38 §570-K. Aboveground oil storage facilities 
38 §570-L. Budget approval; aboveground tanks program 
38 §570-M. Prohibition on adding water to well 
38 §570-N. Rules; wastewater treatment tank systems 

Subchapter 2-C: PROHIBITION ON OIL AND NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION

38 §570-AA. Definitions 
38 §570-BB. Prohibition 

Subchapter 3: CRIMINAL LIABILITY

38 §571. Corrupting waters forbidden 
The Revisor's Office cannot provide legal advice or interpretation of Maine law to the public.
If you need legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney.
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