Skowhegan, ME Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Skowhegan has no townwide grading ordinance in this set. The erosion rules that apply during construction sit in the Town of Skowhegan Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Section 15(P), and they reach only land inside the shoreland zone. Section 3 sets that zone at 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high water line of any great pond or river, 250 feet of the upland edge of a freshwater wetland, and 75 feet of the normal high water line of a stream.

Inside the zone, every activity that involves filling, grading, excavation or similar work leaving unstabilized soil, and that needs a permit, also needs a written soil erosion and sedimentation control plan. The plan goes to the permitting authority for approval. Where applicable it must provide for mulching and revegetation of disturbed soil, temporary runoff controls such as hay bales, silt fencing or diversion ditches, and permanent stabilization structures such as retaining walls or riprap.

The ordinance also sets working standards. Development has to be designed to fit the topography and soils of the site, steep slopes needing high cuts and fills are to be avoided wherever possible, and natural contours are followed as closely as possible. Erosion and sedimentation measures must be in operation during all stages of the activity, and the amount of exposed soil at every phase of construction is to be minimized.

The clock is short. Any exposed ground area must be temporarily or permanently stabilized within one week from the time it was last actively worked, using riprap, sod, seed, mulch or other effective measures. Permanent stabilization must happen within nine months of the initial date of exposure. Where mulch is used, the rate is at least one bale per 500 square feet, and it has to be maintained until vegetation catches. Netting, peg and twine anchoring can be required, and extra measures such as staked hay bales or silt fences are required where needed to keep silt out of the water. Drainage ways and outlets must be protected from erosion and designed to carry a 25 year storm or greater, stabilized with vegetation or lined with riprap.

Outside the shoreland zone, two other Town documents carry erosion language. The Site Review Ordinance requires that soil erosion and sedimentation of watercourses and water bodies be minimized by an active program meeting the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMPs published by DEP, but it applies only to projects that need site review. The Road and Entrance Design Standards, Section 3.3.2, require the developer of a private road to make adequate provision for erosion control, with culvert location and design approved by the Road Commissioner before installation.