LD488

Allows the Department of Environmental Protection to permit fortification of coastal residential buildings under certain conditions.

This bill amends the Natural Resources Protection Act to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to issue a permit for the fortification of a residential building located wholly or partially in, on or over a coastal sand dune system or coastal wetland. The permit is conditional on the building being in a high-risk area, the fill used for fortification not exceeding 500 cubic yards or 2,500 square feet, and the fortified areas being covered with riprap and native vegetation. The department will establish rules for these fortifications, which are considered routine technical rules.