Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §480-D, sub-§10 is enacted to read:

10.__Cumulative effect on protected natural resources.__The cumulative effect of the proposed activity, in light of both past activities and reasonably foreseeable future activities, will not unreasonably harm protected natural resources located on or adjacent to the project area.

SUMMARY

Current law sets forth standards that must be met before a permit may be granted for activities such as dredging, bulldozing or construction on or over certain wetlands or protected natural resources. This bill augments those standards to require a finding that the cumulative effect of the proposed activity will not be to unreasonably harm protected natural resources located on or adjacent to the project area.