An Act To Establish a Generally Applicable Regulatory Standard To Address Impacts of Sea Level Change and Increased Storm Surges

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1805  is enacted to read:

§ 1805.  Regulatory standard addressing impacts of sea level change and increased storm surges

The department, when permitting, licensing or otherwise regulating activities under its jurisdiction within the coastal area of the State, shall apply a regulatory standard established by rule that addresses the impacts of sea level change and increased storm surges on coastal resources within the coastal area of the State. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 2. Department of Environmental Protection; rulemaking. On or before November 1, 2018, the Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt rules establishing a generally applicable regulatory standard that addresses the impacts of sea level change and increased storm surges on coastal resources within the coastal area of the State in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 1805.

summary

This bill amends the State's coastal management laws to require the Department of Environmental Protection to apply to activities under its jurisdiction a generally applicable regulatory standard that addresses the impacts of sea level change and increased storm surges on coastal resources within the coastal area of the State. The bill directs the department to adopt rules establishing that standard on or before November 1, 2018.