Maine In Lieu Fee Compensation Program (ILF) and Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP)
Funds projects that restore, enhance, preserve, or create Maine’s natural resources to compensate for unavoidable environmental impacts, with a focus on maximizing ecological benefits statewide.
Funder: Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Due Dates: Annual cycle: Letters of Intent typically due late May/early June; full proposals due in the fall (projected: June 2027 [LOI], Fall 2027 [full proposal])
Funding Amounts: Wetland credits: $213,444–$282,268 per credit (varies by county); stream credits: $600 per linear foot; award size based on project scope and calculated impact
Summary: Supports restoration, enhancement, preservation, and creation of Maine's natural resources to compensate for unavoidable environmental impacts.
Key Information: Preference given to projects maximizing ecological benefits in areas of statewide conservation significance; fees and credits required prior to construction.
Description
The Maine In Lieu Fee Compensation Program (ILF) and Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program (MNRCP) provide a mechanism for entities impacting Maine’s protected natural resources—such as wetlands, rivers, streams, and significant wildlife habitats—to compensate for unavoidable adverse effects. Instead of undertaking their own on-site or off-site mitigation, applicants may pay a fee to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These funds are then competitively awarded to eligible organizations for projects that restore, enhance, preserve, or create natural resources with a focus on maximizing ecological benefits, especially in areas of statewide conservation significance. The MNRCP operates in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers and The Nature Conservancy in Maine.
