Land Permits, Licenses, Certifications

The Land Bureau has developed an online licensing system which is applicable for all Land Licenses except Mining and Hydropower. Access the licensing system MELS Hub.

Public Notice

The Department’s Chapter 2 rules (docx), Processing of Applications and Other Administrative Matters, require an applicant to provide public notice within 30 days prior to filing a license application for most projects or activities requiring a permit from the Department (see Chapter 2, §13).

More information and forms

Permit Applications – E-Filing Only

All applications filed with the Bureau of Land Resources (except Mining and Hydropower) must be filed electronically via MELS: MELS Hub. If you are unable to e-file an application, please contact the MELS Support at 866-894-2578.

PBR notifications or MCGP NOIs

Mining and Hydropower

Land Application and Permit Status

Maine DEP can accept online credit card payments through a Credit Card Payment Portal. You will be prompted in MELS to pay the application fee through the Maine Payment Portal once your application is ready to submit. Please note: The portal can only accept credit card payments of $1,000 or less; however, there is no limit on payments by electronic check. Also, the servicer of the portal charges a $2 transaction fee. See the Payment Portal for more details.

Licensing fee schedule (pdf)

Processing Time Schedule for New Applications (pdf)

Hydropower & Dams - The Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act (MWDCA) requires that a permit be issued for the construction, reconstruction, or structural alteration (including maintenance and repair) of new or existing hydropower projects. The Federal Clean Water Act requires that the States certify that the construction or operation of hydropower projects subject to federal licensing meets State water quality standards.

Mining - This program regulates larger gravel pits, quarries, and clay and topsoil mining operations. For metallic mineral mining, see Site Location of Development.

Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) - This program regulates activities in, on, over or adjacent to natural resources such as lakes, wetlands, streams/rivers, fragile mountain areas, and sand dune systems. Standards to be met focus on the possible impacts to the resources and to existing uses. On the NRPA page you will find information on:

  • Permit by Rule
  • Sand Dune Systems
  • Significant Groundwater Wells
  • Significant Wildlife Habitat
  • Vernal Pools
  • Wetlands

Site Location of Development - This program regulates developments that may have a substantial impact on the environment, as provided in law. Examples: large subdivisions, structures, 20 acre plus developments, and metallic mineral mining operations. Standards address a range of potential environmental impacts.

Solar Decommissioning - Maine law requires developers of solar power projects that occupy 3 or more acres to have an approved decommissioning plan and accompanying financial assurance sufficient to cover the cost decommissioning as outlined in the plan.

Stormwater - The Maine Stormwater Program includes the regulation of stormwater under three core laws: The Site Location of Development law (Site Law), Stormwater Management Law, and Waste Discharge Law (MEPDES). Aspects of stormwater are also addressed under industry specific laws such as the borrow pit and solid waste laws, and the rules administered by the Land Use Planning Commission.

Contractor Certification - Any individual who is involved with soil disturbance activity including filling, excavation, landscaping, and other earthwork can earn certification in erosion and sedimentation control. To perform work in the Shoreland zone, a contractor must be certified. For initial certification, attendance at one 8-hour training course and the successful completion of a construction site evaluation is required.

Public Notice

In the public notice, the applicant must provide the information included in the Department’s Notice of Intent to File form. Please use the Public Notice Filing and Certification form and the corresponding Notice form for the law you are filing under. Note, if you are filing applications under more than one Law you can use the Generic Public Notice Form and enter more than one legal citation.

Public Notice Instructions (pdf)

NRPA Individual permit (pdf)
NRPA PBR Notification (docx)
Stormwater Management applications (pdf)
Stormwater PBR Notification (docx)
Site Location of Development Act (pdf)
Solar Decommissioning Law (pdf)

Generic Public Notice Form (pdf)

Pre-application & Pre-submission Meetings

For fastest service, submit a pre-application or pre-submission meeting request through MELS: MELS Hub. Contacts to ask questions about the pre-application pre-submission process are: