Natural Resources Protection Act:
Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP)

• Introduction
• Contact
• Additional Information

Introduction

The Maine Natural Resources Conservation Program (MNRCP) was created to manage the allocation of funds collected through the In Lieu Fee Compensation Program . This voluntary program allows entities that are impacting natural resources, primarily wetlands, to make a payment directly to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as an alternative to the traditional mitigation process. Fees collected by DEP are deposited in a Natural Resource Conservation Fund administered by The Nature Conservancy in Maine (TNC).

As fees are collected, public agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, and private entities can apply, through a competitive process, for funds to restore, enhance, preserve and/or create high quality natural resources throughout the State of Maine. Proposals are evaluated by a Review Committee consisting of public and private entities. Final allocation decisions are made by an Approval Committee comprised of state and federal agencies.

Contact

• Dawn Hallowell, DEP
• Alex Mas, The Nature Conservancy in Maine

Additional Information

• Department Fact Sheet (for projects with impacts to protected natural resources) In Lieu Fee Compensation Program
• Maine’s In Lieu Fee instrument
• The Nature Conservancy’s Program Details page
• How to apply for funding & lists of prior awards