Today, many of our legislators are claiming that they knew nothing about the “Shorebird Habitat Protection” language that was quietly added to The Vernal Pool bill behind the scenes. The theory behind the shorebird habitat law is that any land that looks as if it might be suitable for shorebird nesting should be protected from “development”.

Property Rights Advocates of Maine

A law was recently passed by the Maine State Legislature that significantly reduces the value of shorefront property in Maine and especially in Washington and Hancock Counties. Signed by the governor into law on May 11, 2006, this law, called LD 1981 (The Vernal Pool Bill), increases the setback from the shoreline for any new buildings from 75 to 250 feet. In addition, any building permits in the zone will now have to be obtained through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as well as to your local town.

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Press

Shoreline Setback Up For Revision
Ellsworth American, January 25, 2007
MILBRIDGE — State officials and lawmakers are busy rethinking new building setback regulations considered by some property rights advocates to be little more than “grand theft shoreline.”

The new rules that quietly became law under LD 1981 last June require a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for development within 250 feet of ocean and freshwater shorelines designated by the state as prime shorebird and inland waterfowl feeding, foraging and roosting areas.
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