Maine Site Location of Development Act Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

Maine Site Location of Development Act Key Terms & Definitions

Abandonment of Development: The discontinuation of construction activity on a project that has been previously approved under the Site Location of Development Act, as defined in 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 372, § 2(A).

Accessibility: The ease with which a development site can be reached by various modes of transportation, including pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic, as considered in the review of a proposed development under the Site Location of Development Act.

Applicant: The person or entity seeking approval for a proposed development project under the Site Location of Development Act, as defined in 38 M.R.S. § 482(2).

Best Management Practices (BMPs): Methods, measures, or practices designed to prevent or reduce water pollution, including structural and non-structural controls and operation and maintenance procedures, as referenced in 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 500, § 4(C)(2).

Board of Environmental Protection (BEP): The board established under 38 M.R.S. § 341-B that has authority to review and approve certain development projects under the Site Location of Development Act.

Development: Any state, municipal, quasi-municipal, educational, charitable, commercial, or industrial development, including subdivisions, that meets certain size and location thresholds, as defined in 38 M.R.S. § 482(2).

Development Permit: The permit issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection or the Board of Environmental Protection approving a proposed development project under the Site Location of Development Act, as referenced in 38 M.R.S. § 483-A.

Environmental Impact: Any alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties of the environment caused by a proposed development project, as considered in the review of the project under the Site Location of Development Act.

Exemptions: Certain types of development projects that are not subject to the requirements of the Site Location of Development Act, as listed in 38 M.R.S. § 488.

Infrastructure: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a development site, such as roads, water supply, sewers, power grids, and telecommunications, as considered in the review of a proposed development under the Site Location of Development Act.

Mitigation: Measures taken to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the adverse environmental impacts of a proposed development project, as may be required under the Site Location of Development Act.

Permit by Rule (PBR): A simplified permitting process for certain types of development projects that meet specific criteria and have minimal environmental impacts, as provided for in 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 372, § 4.

Permitting: The process of reviewing and approving a proposed development project under the Site Location of Development Act, including the issuance of a development permit.

Public Hearing: A formal proceeding held by the Board of Environmental Protection to gather information and public comment on a proposed development project, as provided for in 38 M.R.S. § 484(4).

Review Criteria: The standards and factors that must be considered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection or the Board of Environmental Protection in reviewing a proposed development project under the Site Location of Development Act, as listed in 38 M.R.S. § 484.

Site: The physical location where a development project is proposed to be constructed, as defined in 38 M.R.S. § 482(6).

Site Inventory and Analysis: The process of gathering and evaluating information about the physical, biological, and cultural characteristics of a proposed development site, as required under 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 372, § 9.

Site Law: An informal term often used to refer to the Maine Site Location of Development Act, as codified in 38 M.R.S. §§ 481-490.

Site Plan: A detailed drawing or set of drawings showing the layout and design of a proposed development project, as required under 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 372, § 10.

Site Visit: An on-site inspection of a proposed development site by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection or the Board of Environmental Protection, as provided for in 38 M.R.S. § 484(3).

Subdivision: The division of a parcel of land into 5 or more lots within any 5-year period, as defined in 38 M.R.S. § 482(5), and subject to the requirements of the Site Location of Development Act.

Traffic Movement Permit: A permit issued by the Maine Department of Transportation for development projects that generate 100 or more passenger car equivalents at peak hour, as required under 23 M.R.S. § 704-A and referenced in 38 M.R.S. § 488(7).

Wetlands: Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, as defined in 38 M.R.S. § 480-B(11) and considered in the review of a proposed development under the Site Location of Development Act.

Wildlife Habitat: Areas that provide food, cover, and other essential elements for the survival and propagation of wildlife species, as considered in the review of a proposed development under the Site Location of Development Act.

Zone of Influence: The geographic area within which a proposed development project may have direct or indirect impacts on the environment or natural resources, as determined in the review of the project under the Site Location of Development Act.

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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.