ME LD497

Establishes statutory definitions for "critical terrestrial habitat," "significant vernal pool habitat" (within 250 feet of high-water mark), and "significant vernal pool protection zone" (within 100 feet of high-water mark)

Requires no disturbance within vernal pool depressions and the 100-foot protection zone to the greatest extent practicable

Removes the exemption that allowed landowners to avoid regulation when the vernal pool depression was not on their property; now requires critical terrestrial habitat on adjacent properties to receive the same protections

Allows vernal pools to be determined not significant if they dry out before July 15th in northern Maine or July 1st in southern Maine

Exempts working waterfront activities on brownfields or voluntary response action program sites from habitat compensation requirements