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Topsham, Maine Vernal Pool
Photo from Maine Association
of Conservation Commissions Website |
In Maine there is a heated debate roaring about changing construction setbacks for vernal pools. A vernal pool (sometimes called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools) "are temporary pools of water. They are usually devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe development of natal amphibian and insect species." (
Wikipedia) A bill that would allow development closer to vernal pools drew enthusiastic support from landowners and strong opposition from environmentalists Monday at a hearing before the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
The current regulation requires a setback of 250 feet. That number is under constant critique, making for exciting and sometimes even explosive conversations at cocktail parties and social gatherings. (Well, at least at the social gatherings we attend.) The bill proposes dropping the setback down to 75-feet. A summary of the legal language on the
bill itself is... "This bill changes to 75 feet the setback for significant vernal pool habitat, high and moderate value inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat and shorebird nesting, feeding and staging areas. It also provides a mechanism to compensate landowners for the property value losses incurred as a result of more stringent setback regulations."
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