Environmental Permits Related to UMaine Activity
The University is a large campus with many ongoing projects and activities which have a significant influence on the nearby environment. As such, different operations across campus must obtain and retain relevant permits to continue or begin their activities. This page contains some general information about these permits and how they pertain to the University of Maine.
Air Emission License Chapter 137 and Title 5
The Chapter 137 Air Emission License from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection covers atmospheric emissions from fuel burning equipment, as well as certain chemical processes related to printmaking and pulp and paper processing. Licenses are issued with an emphasis on operating efficiency to reduce overall emissions. Printmaking, boiler, steam plant, and certain research operations must use fuel and materials efficiently to emit certain volumes of pollutants that meet permit requirements and minimize environmental impacts. Inspections, employee training, and maintenance of efficiency are necessary to comply with this permit.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP – Industrial Activities)
The SWPPP is a permit issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to prevent groundwater contamination from pollution entering the storm sewer system. While UMaine does not currently hold a SWPPP, but rather a MS4 permit, the current stormwater management plan is structured around the Clean Water Act, as well as EPA stormwater and general permit processes. Preventing the discharge of pollutants into stormwater minimizes the environmental impact of Umaine’s motor freight transportation and warehousing, and scrap metal recycling operations. These outdoor operations are exposed to rain and snow melt, potentially resulting in the entry of polluted runoff into the Penobscot River. Quarterly inspections, employee training, maintenance of best management practices, and mitigation of any non-compliant or polluting practices are necessary to comply with this plan.
Maine Pollution Discharge Elimination System (MEPDES) Permit
MEPDES permits are issued to individuals or entities which want to discharge pollutants directly into state waters by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and comply with rules set by the EPA. UMaine holds a MEPDES permit to discharge pool water into the Stillwater River. The permit was obtained because connecting existing infrastructure to a sanitary sewer is cost prohibitive and water from the Wallace Pool is discharged after meetingMEDEP maximums for pH, solids, and chlorine to reduce the overall environmental impact. Quarterly tests, employee training, and pool system maintenance are required to comply with the permit.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
The MS4 permit authorizes the discharge of stormwater from a regulated sewer system. The discharge must meet Maine state water regulations. Stormwater leaves the 647 acre main campus through stormwater sewers, gullies, swales, and infiltration. This permit is meant to minimize pollution of water bodies from runoff. Education about stormwater systems, proper maintenance of pollutants, control and mitigate construction runoff, good management, discharge detection, employee training, and post-construction management, inspection, and maintenance are necessary to maintain this permit. More information can be found on the OFM website.
Site Location of Development Act (SLODA)
Created in 1970 and updated in 1975, this Act requires that developments of a certain size be controlled by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) for the purpose of minimizing the impact of such developments on the environment. Many important facets of environmental health such as stormwater management, surface drainage and runoff, air emissions, wildlife and fisheries, groundwater, and waste management can be affected by development projects. UMaine must request permission to change any impervious areas. The implementation of engineering controls, BMPs, and compliance strategies helps to reduce the environmental impact of development projects and their subsequent infrastructure. Employee training, project permits, compliant designs, proper development techniques are necessary to comply with this permit.
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC)
The purpose of the SPCC is to prevent the discharge of oil into U.S. waters or shorelines. UMaine’s primary concern is discharge related to runoff and drains, as there are more than 240,000 gallons of petroleum and vegetable based oil on campus at a given time. There are 6 sub-plans for Dining Services, Facility Buildings, Service Garages, the Steam Plant, Transformers, and the Witter Center. Each plan has its own administrator who is responsible for ensuring compliance and specific plans for spill prevention, mitigation, and response, as well as secondary containment and infrastructure upgrades. Employee training, monthly/annual inspections, maintenance of good practices, BMP implementation, and maintenance are necessary to comply with this program.
Wetland Regulations
Impact to wetlands is regulated by the Maine DEP, Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), and potentially by municipalities, depending on the resource. Many laws and regulations such as the Maine Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), Maine Site Location Law, Maine Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act, and the Clean Water Act developments which may impact wetlands. The wetland impacts of a single property are cumulative, so each new change is added onto the previous impacts when considered. Due to the University’s cumulative impacts, any future developments or changes will require a NRPA permit, as well as permission from the ACOE. More permits may be necessary, or existing Site Location permits may need to be modified depending on the nature of the project. Any addition of fill material, removal of vegetation, or disturbance of soil in wetlands are considered impacts and thus require permits. Please contact the OFM for questions about campus wetland areas and relevant development permits.