Maine Audubon Calls for Support of Rule to Protect Wildlife Habitat

FALMOUTH, Maine, February 13, 2006

Natural Resources Committee of Maine Legislature has opportunity tomorrow to approve guidelines for landowners, towns and developers

“Maine Audubon, Maine’s largest wildlife conservation organization, is calling for support of a state rule proposed to protect significant breeding, feeding and nesting habitat for birds and other wildlife. The proposed "Significant Wildlife Habitat" rule will be discussed during a public hearing at 1 p.m., Tuesday, February 14 before the Maine Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee in Room 214 of the State Office Building in Augusta.

“This is a reasonable rule based on sound science,” said Jenn Burns, Maine Audubon staff attorney and advocate. “ Maine lawmakers have the opportunity to help landowners, town planners and developers avoid, minimize or mitigate the impacts of their activities on significant wildlife habitat.”

“Significant wildlife habitat” is protected under Maine’s Natural Resources Protection Act. These habitats provide food, shelter and, in some cases, breeding areas during important stages of the lives of many wildlife species.

While some wildlife habitats in Maine already have been designated “signficant,” the Legislature directed Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Department of Environmental Protection last year to create the proposed rule to define three new significant wildlife habitats: shorebird nesting, feeding and staging areas; high and moderate value wading bird and waterfowl habitat; and significant vernal-pool habitat for small amphibians crucial to forest ecology.

Vernal pools are small water bodies that typically fill up in the fall or spring, and dry by mid-summer. They contribute significantly to local wildlife diversity by supporting an abundance of plants and amphibians, including wood frogs and salamanders, which are food for other animals. Significant vernal pools—the only vernal pools the new rule protects—are unusually abundant sources of breeding and feeding activity, making them highly important to diverse wildlife.

The three significant wildlife habitats the rule will protect have for years lacked protection under Maine ’s Natural Resources Protection Act, because DIFW did not formally identify and map them. The new rule eliminates the mapping requirement, instead instituting guidelines that define the habitats and options to protect them.

Maine Audubon believes the new guidelines suggest no unreasonable requirements. For example, although research shows that a 750-foot protection zone around significant vernal pools is ideal for wildlife, the rule instead requires only a 250-foot zone, the minimum protection that wildlife scientists recommend. As well, wetland and wildlife professionals consulting with DEP confirm that identifying significant vernal pools according to the proposed rule is not only feasible, but consistent with standard wetland-protection and shoreland-zoning practices across the state.

Under the rule, DEP staff will examine activities affecting protected significant wildlife habitat on a case-by-case basis, and will work with individuals to find practical solutions to habitat and land use conflicts.

“DEP and DIFW have done their homework, and have produced a rule with options that will help developers direct their projects away from habitat crucial to the survival of Maine’s wildlife,” Burns said. “ Now, the Legislature must approve it to protect Maine’s significant wildlife habitat.”

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action.

Support for Maine Audubon comes from its 11,000 members and supporters, including individuals, foundations and corporations. Members are automatically members of their local Maine Audubon chapter and National Audubon Society, Inc., of which Maine Audubon is an affiliate. Contributions to Maine Audubon are used only in Maine.

For more information or to become a member of Maine Audubon, call (207) 781-2330 or click here.

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