The Critical Areas Program of the State Planning Office influences the 

 regulation of aquatic habitats. This program registers the locations of 

 unique and critical areas, such as unique bogs, rare plants, colonial 

 waterbird colonies, and unusual plant communities. 



MDIFW owns, protects, and manages palustrine and riverine wetland areas in the 

 coastal zone. Wetlands under MDIFW ownership are ensured protection. 



MDIFW and the FWS (Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge) have been involved in 

 marsh protection and management programs (palustrine, riverine, and lacustrine 

 wetlands) intended to improve habitats for waterfowl. In addition, these 

 organizations manage coastal wetlands and islands used by migratory birds (see 

 atlas map 3) . 



Regulations Pertaining to Estuarine and Marine Systems in Coastal Maine 



Several direct Federal and State controls exist over the estuarine and marine 

 systems in Maine. Federal agencies with direct regulatory authority over 

 these systems are the EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the COE. 



The EPA controls discharge of pollutants in all waters of the U.S., including 

 the estuarine and marine systems. Along with the U.S. Coast Guard, EPA 

 regulates spills of oil and hazardous substances that may occur in the 

 estuarine and marine systems. EPA and COE (COE has the permit authority to 

 regulate activities involving discharges of dredged or fill material in all 

 waters of the U.S.) provide the framework for reviewing proposed discharges of 

 dredged or fill materials to evaluate their physical effects and potential for 

 chemical contamination. 



Although the FWS has no direct regulatory control over the estuarine and 

 marine systems, it plays a direct advisory role in regulatory practices. 

 Under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, FWS must assess the impacts on 

 fish and wildlife of all water and water-related land resource development 

 projects that are funded by the Federal Government or constructed under a 

 permit or license. It provides information to Federal construction or 

 regulatory agencies and to permit applicants. Such involvement includes 

 analyzing and reporting on construction proposals and applications for dredge 

 and fill permits issued by the COE, ocean-dumping permits issued by the EPA, 

 bridge and causeway permits issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, license 

 applications submitted to the Federal Power Commission and Nuclear Regulatory 

 Commission, and any proposed Federal construction affecting living fish and 

 wildlife resources. FWS also plays a direct role in regulatory practices 

 concerning the estuarine and marine systems through its acquisition of 

 significant migratory waterfowl habitat (under the Migratory Bird Conservation 

 Act) and of habitat for endangered species (under the Endangered Species Act), 

 and recreation and wilderness areas (under the Water Conservation Act). All 

 acquisitions become part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 



The National Marine Fisheries Service's primary responsibility is to protect 

 and conserve the estuarine, marine, and anadromous fish resources. Twenty 

 Federal laws mandate NMFS involvement in fish habitat protection. NMFS also 

 has an advisory role similar to that of the FWS in evaluating Federal permits. 

 In addition, NMFS has primary responsibility in the designation and management 

 of marine and estuarine sanctuaries. 



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