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Bill > LD228
ME LD228
ME LD228An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise
summary
Introduced
01/16/2025
01/16/2025
In Committee
01/16/2025
01/16/2025
Crossed Over
05/20/2025
05/20/2025
Passed
05/27/2025
05/27/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/29/2025
05/29/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
An Act to Allow Coastal Seawalls to Be Raised by up to 2 Feet in Order to Accommodate Predicted Sea Level Rise Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, the State in 2023 and 2024 experienced multiple significant storm events causing widespread and devastating floods and damaging public and private infrastructure across the State with particular impact along the coast, which experienced historically high and dangerous tides; and Whereas, with an ever-increasing frequency of such storm events and a projected rise in sea levels and the associated risks to persons, property and resources, the citizens of the State must be able to enhance the resilience of public and private infrastructure to the effects of these storms; and Whereas, the changes to the Natural Resources Protection Act proposed in this legislation must take effect immediately to facilitate the timely development of certain coastal resiliency projects; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill allows coastal property owners to raise existing seawalls by up to 2 feet to help adapt to sea level rise and protect infrastructure from increasing coastal flooding risks. The legislation applies specifically to seawalls that legally existed as of January 1, 2025, on residential, commercial, or road properties within 25 feet of the seawall. Property owners must meet several conditions to obtain a permit, including ensuring the new seawall height does not exceed one foot above the base flood elevation, maintaining the same seawall dimensions, and agreeing to mitigate potential erosion impacts. The bill also requires property owners to either construct a sand dune with native vegetation on the landward side of the seawall or plant a vegetative buffer, and seeks to minimize environmental disruption by connecting seawall height increases with neighboring properties and obtaining necessary permissions. The legislation is part of a broader effort to enhance coastal resilience in response to recent significant storm events and projected sea level rise, and it aims to provide a controlled mechanism for property owners to protect their infrastructure while considering environmental preservation.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (8)
Robert Foley (R)*,
Donna Bailey (D),
Mark Blier (R),
Dick Campbell (R),
Lori Gramlich (D),
Joseph Martin (R),
Rick Mason (R),
Michael Soboleski (R),
Last Action
Governor's Action: Emergency Signed, May 29, 2025 (on 05/29/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=228&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0151&item=3&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN022803.pdf |
| House: C-A (H-164) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0151&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (H-164) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN022802.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0151&item=1&snum=132 |
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