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Chapter 500 Stormwater Management Updates
Stakeholder Engagement Process
Contact chapter500.dep@maine.gov for feedback on the major deliverables and to receive future notification on the Chapter 500 update.
Stakeholder Engagement Process Report (pdf)
Useful References +
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State Laws
- Stormwater Management Law
- Site Location of Development Act
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law
- Natural Resources Protection Act
Current DEP Rules
- “Stormwater Management Rules” (Chapter 500) (Word)
- “Stormwater Management Compensation Fees and Mitigation Credit Rules” (Chapter 501) (Word)
- “Direct Watersheds of Lakes Most at Risk from New Development, and Urban Impaired Streams” (Chapter 502) (Word)
Current General Permits
Stakeholder Engagement Process
Steering Committee Meetings +
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Meeting 1: Introduction and Project Background
December 5, 2023
- Steering Committee Meeting #1 Agenda (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #1 Minutes (pdf)
- DEP Stormwater Program Overview Presentation (pdf)
Meeting 2: DEP Chapter 500 Update Proposals
February 5, 2024
- Steering Committee Meeting #2 Agenda (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #2 Minutes (pdf)
- DEP Chapter 500 Updates Proposals Presentation (pdf)
- Taunton River Watershed Project Presentation (pdf)
Meeting 3: Low Impact Development and Flooding Standards
February 26, 2024
Meeting 4: General Framework
July 15, 2024
- Steering Committee Meeting #4 Agenda (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #4 Minutes (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #4 Presentation (pdf)
Meeting 5: Redevelopment
September 23, 2024
- Steering Committee Meeting #5 Agenda (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #5 Minutes (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #5 Presentation (pdf)
Meeting 6: Groundwater Recharge
November 25, 2024
- Steering Committee Meeting #6 Agenda (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #6 Minutes (pdf)
- Steering Committee Meeting #6 Presentation (pdf)
Meeting 7: Implementation of the New Rules
December 16, 2024
Technical Committee Meetings +
Hide: Technical Committee Meetings -
Meeting 1: Low Impact Development
March 18, 2024
Meeting 2: Flooding Standard
April 1, 2024
Meeting 3: Sensitive and Threatened Watersheds
June 25, 2024
Meeting 4: Subcommittee Updates and Stormwater BMP Manual
September 9, 2024
Meeting 5: New Standards Overview
November 14, 2024
Meeting 6: December 6, 2024
Meeting 7: December 12, 2024
To engage stakeholders in the update of Chapter 500 stormwater rules, Maine DEP convened a Steering Committee and Technical Committee to provide feedback through a consensus-based rule development process.
The official stakeholder engagement process started with the first stakeholder meeting on 12/5/2023 and ended on 12/16/2024 with the final meeting of the steering committee.
Project Status
Maine DEP staff are drafting rule language based on stakeholder feedback obtained through the consensus-based rule development process. Maine DEP will notify stakeholders when the draft rules are ready for stakeholder feedback.
Overview & Major Deliverables
Maine DEP convened a Steering Committee and Technical Committee to work together to develop a consensus-based framework for improving the State’s stormwater regulations, specifically Chapter 500, considering the State’s environmental protection and climate adaptation goals. FB Environmental provided facilitated stakeholder engagement. The stakeholders who were not represented in the committees had the opportunity to participate in the Steering Committee meetings and provide written feedback.
Two major deliverables of the stakeholder engagement process are:
- Stakeholder Engagement Process Report: This comprehensive report includes background information on Chapter 500, Chapter 500 update timeline, stakeholder engagement method and tools, discussions held in the meetings, important correspondence, and survey responses on the proposed Chapter 500 framework. Please note that the timeline presented in Table 1 of the report is outdated.
- Stakeholder Engagement Process Report Appendix F (The Long Memorandum): This technical memorandum provides detailed information on the stormwater management standards under the proposed Chapter 500 framework.