Maine, Shorefront Property, Department of Environmental Protection 

"Introduction

Nobody wants to own shorefront property on the shore of a lake, river or coastal area that is polluted with sewage, algae or dead fish. It is to everyone's advantage to have lakes, rivers and coastal areas that are clear, swimmable, and teeming with fish and wildlife. In addition to protecting property values, and enhancing recreational uses, it is also to the state's economy. Maine's Legislature has enacted several environmental laws which help to protect these important natural resources from becoming degraded. It is important that every owner of shorefront property abide by these laws to ensure that water quality is protected.

The five state environmental laws relevant to shorefront property in Maine's towns that are explained in the following guide include: The Protection and Improvement of Waters Law, The Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law, The Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), and its associated regulations; the Seasonal Conversion Law; and the Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act (MSZA) plus corresponding local ordinances.

This booklet is designed to cut through the extensive text of these laws and regulations and provide you with a simpler, easy-to-understand version of their requirements. We hope that by providing you with information in this form, you will be better able to comply with the laws and regulations..."  

This document is a small informational booklet about environmental laws affecting shorefront property in Maine, it was produced by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Topics Include:
- Protection and Improvement of Waters
- Overboard Discharges
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law
- Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA)
- Seasonal Conversion Law
- Shoreland Zoning