“The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is trying to fast-track efforts to recover from a string of devastating winter storms while giving impacted property owners the flexibility to adapt to changing climate conditions.
The state is trying to make it easier to build back better, with infrastructure that can withstand a wetter, warmer future with rising, stormier seas, but that can also be finished before piping plovers return in March, lobstermen start setting traps in April and the summer tourist season kicks off in July.”
“A 2023 change in Maine law means that two of four Nexamp solar farm projects in Washington County will lose over half of their generating capacity when online.
Nexamp Communications Manager Keith Hevenor explained the company is continuing to work within the new framework and will try to modify those projects affected by the change in the net energy billing (NEB) law that now limits megawatt (MW) production for the farms in question to 1 MW or less.
Originally the projects in Lubec and Eastport were expected to produce 2.7 MW each, or enough power each to serve about 450-500 average single-family homes.”
“The impact of the Dec. 18 storm was more severe in western and central Maine than elsewhere, while coastal communities were hit harder in the back-to-back storms that brought record storm surge on Jan. 10 and 13. But in all three storms, which wreaked havoc from Bethel to Eastport, flooding caused the worst damage.
In the storms this month, beachfront homes in southern Maine suffered heavy damage when high winds and peak tides combined to push waves up against houses and into low-lying streets. But for much of Maine’s mostly-rocky coast, it was working waterfront properties that were pummeled by the surf.”
1. If you are purchasing a home (or vacation cabin), Maine’s laws on right-of-way easements can be crucial if you are on a private road, or have access to water (or others have access across your land). This article on right-of-way easements in Maine provides an in-depth review of the different types of easement, how they are created and can be terminated.
2. Planning on exploring Maine’s vast areas of forests? Much of Maine is in private hands, but most are generally open to the public for recreational purpose. Property owners are protected from liability if someone is injured on their land by the Recreational Use Statute. The law has lead to thousands of acres of Maine be available biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, fishing and camping (among other things).
3. Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline! While much of this land is in private hands, there are hundreds of places to go to enjoy the beautiful coastline. Here are two key resources for discovering great places to access the coast.
4. You can find property deeds online for almost all private property in the state. Each county has it’s own Registry of Deeds, and most have deeds going back at least several decades available through their website. The registers also have surveys and plans available for download. Most offer a limited number of documents for free. Find the websites at the Maine Registers of Deeds Association.
5. Much of Maine’s land is protected from development, but often open to use, thanks to the many Land Trusts throughout the state. Many of the Land Trusts have created and maintain a large network of trails through these areas, and free maps and guides are available. View Maine Land Trust Index.
“Lawmakers on Tuesday directed state utilities regulators to study and create a new way to reimburse homeowners or businesses that generate a portion of their own electricity. LD 1263 picked up the two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate Tuesday afternoon to override a veto from Gov. Paul LePage, who blocked the bill alongside a batch of others he said the Legislature passed too hastily.”
