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LD 497

An Act Regarding The Department Of Environmental Protection

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Vicki Doudera and 1 co-sponsor

LD 497 revises DEP rules on significant vernal pools under NRPA, changing permitting and oversight to protect habitat; affects landowners, developers, and municipalities.

Signed by Governor
#environmentalprotectiondept #powers #provisionsrevised
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Bill Summary · LD 497

Summary — LD 497: "An Act Regarding The Department Of Environmental Protection"

Status: Signed by Governor (June 17, 2025)
Introduced: February 6, 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Doudera (Camden)
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Final legislative action: Passed, as amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H‑606), and enacted.

Purpose and intent

LD 497 is legislation that revises certain powers and provisions relating to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In its engrossed form the bill specifically addresses the regulation of significant vernal pools under the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). The stated intent is to modify how significant vernal pools are regulated within the NRPA framework and to adjust relevant DEP authorities and procedures tied to that regulation.

Key provisions (high level)

  • Revises DEP-related statutory provisions and powers (exact statutory changes not provided in the summary documents).
  • Specifically alters how "significant vernal pools" are regulated under the NRPA (engrossed version identified as focusing on vernal pools).
  • Enacted with Committee Amendment "A" (H‑606); the amendment was read and adopted in both chambers prior to final passage.

Note: The provided documents do not include the full text of the bill or amendment language. For precise statutory changes (definitions, permitting requirements, exemptions, mapping or mitigation rules, enforcement mechanisms, etc.), consult the final enrolled/printed bill (text of H‑606 / LR 1932(03)).

Who is affected

  • State agencies: Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DEP and IFW) — responsible for implementing the regulatory changes.
  • Landowners, developers, consultants, and municipalities — those undertaking land use activities that could affect vernal pools or that interact with NRPA permitting.
  • Conservation organizations and natural resource stakeholders — interested in protection and classification of vernal pools and associated species habitat.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Fiscal notes:
    • Preliminary (02/13/2025): Insufficient data (concept draft).
    • As amended (05/19/2025; LR1932(02)) and as engrossed with C "A" (H‑606) (06/10/2025; LR1932(03)): Minor cost increase to Other Special Revenue Funds.
  • The fiscal notes state any additional costs to DEP or IFW to adopt the changes are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.

Legislative timeline and procedure

  • Referred to Environment and Natural Resources upon receipt (2/6/2025).
  • Work session (5/13/2025); committee issued a divided report and reported out OTP‑AM/ONTP (5/13 and 6/9/2025 entries).
  • Committee Amendment "A" (H‑606) adopted in both House and Senate (6/10/2025).
  • House roll call on passage: Yeas 77 – Nays 70 (6/10/2025).
  • Senate roll call on concurrence: Yeas 18 – Nays 14 (6/10/2025).
  • Signed by Governor: June 17, 2025.

Practical notes / next steps for readers

  • This summary describes scope and process based on legislative and fiscal documents. It does not reproduce specific statutory language added, amended, or repealed.
  • To understand concrete regulatory changes (e.g., new definitions, thresholds, permitting procedures, exemptions, mitigation requirements), review the final enrolled bill text (H‑606 / LR 1932(03)) and any implementing guidance from DEP or IFW.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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