Maine Endangered Species Act Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants
Maine Endangered Species Act Key Terms & Definitions
Affected Species: Any species of fish or wildlife or plants that are listed as endangered or threatened under the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Candidate Species: A species for which the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has determined that there is credible scientific evidence to substantiate a proposal to list the species as endangered or threatened under the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Conservation Plan: A plan developed by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that outlines the necessary actions to assist in the recovery of endangered or threatened species.
Critical Habitat: Geographic areas that contain physical or biological features essential to the conservation of an endangered or threatened species and that may require special management considerations or protection, as designated by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Endangered Species: Any species of fish or wildlife or plants that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the State of Maine, as determined by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Endangered Species Listing: The process by which the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife determines that a species should be classified as endangered or threatened under the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP): A plan that outlines the steps a landowner or project proponent will take to minimize and mitigate the impacts of their activities on endangered or threatened species and their habitats, as required under the Maine Endangered Species Act for certain activities that may result in the incidental take of listed species.
Incidental Take: Any taking of an endangered or threatened species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity, as defined in the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Incidental Take Permit: A permit issued by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that allows the incidental take of endangered or threatened species in accordance with the terms and conditions of an approved Habitat Conservation Plan.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW): The state agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Maine Endangered Species Act, including the listing of endangered and threatened species, the designation of critical habitat, and the issuance of incidental take permits.
Maine Endangered Species Act (MESA): The state law that provides for the conservation, protection, restoration and propagation of endangered and threatened species of fish or wildlife or plants, and the ecosystems upon which they depend.
Mitigation: Actions taken to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the impacts of a project or activity on endangered or threatened species and their habitats, as required under the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Recovery: The process by which the decline of an endangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are neutralized, so that its long-term survival in the wild can be ensured.
Recovery Plan: A plan developed by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that outlines the necessary actions to assist in the recovery of endangered or threatened species, including the designation of critical habitat and the implementation of conservation measures.
Scientific Collecting Permit: A permit issued by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that allows the collection of endangered or threatened species for scientific or educational purposes, as authorized under the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Species of Special Concern: A species that does not meet the criteria for listing as endangered or threatened under the Maine Endangered Species Act, but which is particularly vulnerable and could easily become an endangered, threatened, or extirpated species due to restricted distribution, low or declining numbers, specialized habitat needs or limits, or other factors.
State List: The official list of endangered and threatened species of fish or wildlife or plants within the State of Maine, as determined by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Take: To harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct, as defined in the Maine Endangered Species Act.
Threatened Species: Any species of fish or wildlife or plants that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the State of Maine, as determined by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
A Note to Our Readers: We hope this guide is a valuable resource in helping you better understand the . However, it's not a substitute for professional advice and doesn't cover every scenario. Always consult with regulatory bodies and professionals for the most current advice and project-specific guidance.