MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
PUBLIC NOTICE
In accordance with the Site Location of Development Act (Site Law), 38 M.R.S. § 486-B, the Department is requesting public comment on a draft General Permit for the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) to construct and operate projects that require approval under the Site Law. All projects constructed under the proposed General Permit must meet the standards of the Site Law found at 38 M.R.S. §484 and are subject to conditions contained in the General Permit. The General Permit also contains provisions for public meetings and the opportunity for public input.
The proposed General Permit requires the MaineDOT to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with plans for each project. Provided the NOI submission is complete, the Department will authorize the project within 60 days. In the event other permits are required, such as an individual permit pursuant to the Natural Resources Protection Act, the NOI review period will run concurrently with the individual permit review period. Any authorization granted under this General Permit may be appealed to the Board of Environmental Protection.
The draft permit is posted on the Maine DEP website: http://www.maine.gov/dep/comment/index.html. The public is invited to submit comments to Mark Stebbins at mark.n.stebbins@maine.gov or in writing to Mark Stebbins, Maine DEP, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0017. A request for a public hearing or a request that the Board of Environmental Protection assume jurisdiction over this permit must be received by the Department in writing, no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 3, 2024 (20 days after publication). A public hearing may or may not be held at the discretion of the Commissioner or Board of Environmental Protection. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., December 13, 2024 (30 days after publication).