Maine’s Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded approximately $1.5 million to nine projects to restore, enhance, or protect wetlands and other important habitats around the state.
The program was created to help offset unavoidable impacts to protected natural resources resulting from development projects. It funds the restoration or preservation of similar resources in the same geographic region to maintain overall ecological benefits. MRNCP provides regulatory flexibility for applicants by allowing them to make a payment into the program in lieu of traditional compensation methods, provided they have made all efforts to avoid and minimize natural resource impacts.
“MNRCP has become one of Maine’s most meaningful tools used in partnership with conservationists and developers to ensure important environmental protections. It’s a win for Maine’s natural environment, and it’s win for Maine’s economy,” said Acting DEP Commissioner Melanie Loyzim.
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