Wetland types

"Freshwater wetlands" means freshwater swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and for a duration sufficient to support, and which under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of wetland vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils; and, not considered part of a great pond, coastal wetland, river stream or brook. 38 MRSA 480-B(4).

"Coastal wetlands"means all tidal and subtidal lands; all areas with vegetation present that is tolerant of salt water and occurs primarily in a salt water or estuarine habitat; and any swamp, marsh, bog, beach, flat or other contiguous lowland that is subject to tidal action during the highest tide level for the year in which an activity is proposed as identified in tide tables published by NOAA's National Ocean Service. Coastal wetlands may include portions of coastal sand dunes.

The descriptions below (except for the vernal pool materials) use information and excerpts from the following documents:

  • Tiner, Ralph W. June 1991. Maine Wetlands and Their Boundaries: A Guide For Code Enforcement Officers. Prepared for the State of Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Office of Comprehensive Planning, Augusta, ME.
  • Tiner, Ralph W. 2005. In Search of Swampland: A Wetland Sourcebook and Field Guide. Rutgers University Press, Piscataway, NJ. Second edition.
  • Gawler, S. and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural Landscapes of Maine: A guide to Natural Communities and Ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Maine Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.