# 38 M.R.S. § 3009: 38 §3009. Duration; amendment by court action

> Maine · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3009

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 M.R.S. § 3009
- **Heading:** 38 §3009. Duration; amendment by court action
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ME Code / Title 38 / Chapter 31 / Section 3009

## Text

1. Perpetual duration. An environmental covenant is perpetual unless it is: A. By its terms limited to a specific duration or terminated by the occurrence of a specific event; [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).] B. Terminated by consent pursuant to section 3010 ; [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).] C. Terminated pursuant to subsection 2 ; [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).] D. Terminated by operation of other laws of this State governing priority of interests; or [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).] E. Terminated or modified in an eminent domain proceeding, but only if: (1) The agency that signed the covenant is a party to the proceeding; (2) All persons identified in section 3010, subsections 1 and 2 are given notice of the pendency of the proceeding; and (3) The court determines, after hearing, that the termination or modification will not adversely affect human health or the environment. [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).]

2. Intended benefits can no longer be realized. If the agency that signed an environmental covenant has determined that the intended benefits of the covenant can no longer be realized, a court, under the doctrine of changed circumstances, in an action in which all persons identified in section 3010, subsections 1 and 2 have been given notice, may terminate the covenant or reduce its burden on the real property subject to the covenant. [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).]

3. Extinguished, limited or impaired. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 1 and 2 , an environmental covenant may not be extinguished, limited or impaired through issuance of a tax deed or foreclosure of a tax lien or application of the doctrine of adverse possession, prescription, abandonment, waiver, lack of enforcement or acquiescence or a similar doctrine. [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).]

4. Laws governing marketable title and dormant mineral interests. An environmental covenant may not be extinguished, limited or impaired by application of laws governing marketable title and dormant mineral interests. [PL 2005, c. 370, §1 (NEW).]

## Nearby sections

- [38 M.R.S. § 3001 38 §3001. Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3001.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3002 38 §3002. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3002.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3003 38 §3003. Nature of rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3003.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3004 38 §3004. Contents of environmental covenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3004.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3005 38 §3005. Validity; effect on other instruments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3005.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3006 38 §3006. Relationship to other land-use law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3006.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3007 38 §3007. Notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3007.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3008 38 §3008. Recording](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3008.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3009 38 §3009. Duration; amendment by court action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3009.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3010 38 §3010. Amendment or termination by consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3010.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3011 38 §3011. Enforcement of environmental covenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3011.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3012 38 §3012. Uniformity of application and construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3012.md)
- [38 M.R.S. § 3013 38 §3013. Relation to federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3013.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T38_C31_S3009. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.