The Performance Standards: Maine Department of What are they and who qualifies? Quesons? Environmental The Performance Standards were created as a stream‐ We’re here to help! If you have quesons or Protecon lined approach to regulang mineral excavaons in the would like to meet at your site for technical organized towns of the State of Maine. Qualifying exca‐ assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. vaons are registered with the DEP through a simple noficaon process, called a “Noce of Intent to Com‐ Mark Stebbins, Mining Coordinator ply” (NOITC). (207) 822‐6367 [email protected] Life in the Pits: An NOITC should be filed for the following types of

sites: Chrisna Stacey, Mining Specialist A Guide to the Performance  Sand, gravel, borrow, topsoil and clay pits that are (207) 557‐0787 5 or more acres in size Standards for Excavaons and Chris[email protected]  Aggregate quarries that are 1 or more acre in size Quarries www.maine.gov/dep/land/mining Include all reclaimed and unreclaimed land in your size calculaon. You should also include any land that has been grubbed, stripped, or graded, even if you have not actually begun mining material in those porons. Areas excavated prior to 1970 are exempt.

If you do not meet the threshold, but have undertaken a land‐use acvity that has disturbed more than 1 acre of land (excavaon, road construcon, etc.), stormwater perming may be required.

Find pit locaons and other data on the GIS viewer on our website I’ve filed—What next? Pit Size Fuel Storage

Once you have filed your NOITC, you are responsible for Store all petroleum prod‐ The working pit may not exceed 10 acres at any one operang your site in compliance with the Performance ucts, including drums and me. “Working pit” includes all areas of extracon, Standards. Here are the basics. Variances from some of buckets, in a covered including side slopes and grubbed areas. Stockpiles secondary containment these standards are available with addional perming. structure. and permanent structures are excluded.

Buffers Handle petroleum prod‐ Erosion & Sedimentaon Control ucts with care. Keep a An uncut buffer must be maintained between the work‐ spill kit on‐site. Report all spills, no maer the size, to ing pit and the following: Pits must be “internally draining” ‐ developed into a the DEP Spill Hotline at 800‐482‐0777.  50 . from property lines and private roads (100 . bowl shape that directs all runoff into the boom of for quarries) the pit. Check the perimeter of the pit frequently for Reclamaon  100 . from public roads, 150 . from scenic hwys. erosion problems. Maintain erosion controls such as berms, check dams, and silt fences where needed. To keep your pit under 10  75 . from streams and certain wetlands, 100 . from great ponds acres, progressive reclama‐ Ditches that allow on is required. Exhausted Remember–these buffers may not be cut or cleared for water to drain pit areas should be graded any reason, even forest management. from the pit are prohibited. to a slope of 2.5H:1V or less,

50 . property line buffer and at least 90% covered er ff with vegetaon. To close a pit and withdraw from the bu program, the pit must be totally reclaimed and all struc‐ line tures removed. Gravel Pit Image is Important Groundwater property 100 . . road Keep a clean pit. Solid waste and demolion debris may buffer The boom of the pit floor must be at least 5 feet 50 above the seasonal high groundwater table. This can not be disposed of or burned in a pit. Use water or cal‐ 75 . stream buffer be verified by installing monitoring wells or digging a cium chloride to reduce dust from truck traffic. Be pro‐ test pit. acve in solving problems, and maintain good relaons with your community. Flagging your property lines and buffers will Standing water is a sign Dust is a nuisance for help keep you in that your pit floor is too neighbors as well as a compliance. close to groundwater. health concern.