An Act To Update The Definition Of "Coastal Wetlands" Under The Natural Resources Protection Act

This bill updates Maine's legal definition of "coastal wetlands" in the Natural Resources Protection Act to include all tidal and subtidal lands, areas with salt-tolerant vegetation in coastal habitats, and low-lying lands affected by tides as defined by U.S. tide tables. It also explicitly states that coastal wetlands may encompass portions of coastal sand dunes. This change directly affects land use regulations for coastal development, environmental protections, and construction projects by clarifying which areas fall under the Act's requirements. The amendment provides a more precise standard for identifying coastal wetlands, aligning the definition with current scientific and management practices.