53 Years of Fighting for Maine Lakes
Active Advocacy & Policy Issues
Maine Lakes is a collaborative leader for lake-friendly policy and advocacy in the state. We work with other lake conservation organizations, businesses, state agencies, local municipalities and legislators to craft effective bills that increase protection, funding, and access to Maine’s lakes. We rely on our grassroots activists to share their priority concerns, write letters to committees, and make phone calls to local officials. One-on-one interactions with decision-makers are the key to getting lake- and climate-friendly policies firmly in place.
The first session of the 131st legislature started in January 2023.
~ Please bookmark this page and check back often as we will update our list of active lake bills frequently during the upcoming session (January-May). ~
Action Items:
This bill clarifies taxonomic names on the existing list and expands to several more species.
Public hearing: Jan. 30, 9 a.m., ENR Committee, Cross Building Room 216, Augusta
What You Can Do: Speak at the Environment and Natural Resources Committee's public hearing (for tips and information about delivering testimony, click here) or submit a letter in support of this legislation here.
This bill will make sure that municipaliities will be able to apply existing strong shoreland zoning standards during the construction of ADUs in teh shoreland zone.
Public hearing: Not Yet Scheduled
What You Can Do: Speak at the Environment and Natural Resources Committee's public hearing (for tips and information about delivering testimony, click here) or submit a letter in support of this legislation here.
This bill was presented to the 130th legislature and got overwhelming support from the public but died in committee. Maine Lakes is hopeful that this time around we will be able to get this bill to the finish line with your help!
Public hearing: Not Yet Scheduled
What You Can Do: Speak at the Environment and Natural Resources Committee's public hearing (for tips and information about delivering testimony, click here) or submit a letter in support of this legislation here.
This is a rule change that would allow septic systems to be built on fill in the shoreland zone and put lakes and risks.
Public hearing: Jan. 30, 9 a.m., ENR Committee, Cross Building Room 216, Augusta
Read our written testimony HERE.
Read our Legislative Alert HERE.
Read our Fact Sheet HERE.
Read the statute that created the Lake Protection and Restoration Fund HERE.
Maine Lakes written testimony coming soon.
Thank you for taking action on behalf of Maine's lakes!
Make your voice heard and make a difference. There are many ways to help. You can present testimony in person or via Zoom at a public hearing or submit written testimony to a committee here. You can spread the word to neighbors and friends by email and on social media. The more people who speak on behalf of Maine’s lakes, the better. Sign up for our legislative alerts for timely emails with bill and hearing information.
Want to join us? Make your voice heard and make a difference. There are many ways to Take Action and help to keep your lake, and all Maine lakes, pristine for generations to come.
laws that protect maine lakes
The links below share the laws that protect Maine’s lakes:
- The Lakes Program by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Shoreland Zoning provides links and supplemental materials for ME DEPs shoreland zoning ordinances
- Stormwater Program provides information about ME DEP’s stormwater program
- Stormwater BMPs Manual
- Enforcement lists Regional DEP Offices and contact information
- Maine Water Laws
- Erosion & Sedimentation Control Law
- Center for Watershed Protection