Proposed Amazon warehouse in Gorham clears key hurdle with environmental approval
The site of proposed Amazon warehouse in Gorham for a rally against the construction on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The event included information, sign painting, speakers and a nature walk. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection on Friday issued Amazon a permit to build its proposed warehouse and distribution facility off Main Street in Gorham, clearing one of the few remaining hurdles for the controversial project.
Addressing topics such as noise, visual and scenic character, wildlife and endangered species, soil, water quality and wetlands, the permit states that the DEP found Amazon’s 146,280-square-foot facility would not have unreasonable effects on the environment and complies with all standards.
“The applicant has made adequate provision for fitting the development harmoniously into the existing natural environment and the development will not adversely affect existing uses, scenic character, air quality, water quality or other natural resources in the municipality or in neighboring municipalities,” the permit states.
The DEP held a public meeting focused on the project in July, where several residents asked the agency to deny Amazon’s application over concerns that the project on the undeveloped land in the town’s industrial park would damage wetlands, pollute the area and harm wildlife Over 100 people submitted public comments to the department expressing similar worries, the permit states.
DEP Licensing Division Director Jessica Damon said in July that the department would review the project’s impacts to protected natural resources under the Natural Resources Protection Act, and its efforts to compensate for those impacts. If built, the facility would affect about 34,918 square feet of freshwater wetlands.
The department initially said it would make a decision on Amazon’s application by Sept. 21, but requested two extensions as it waited for the applicant to update wetland impacts. Engineering firm Sebago Technics, developer Bluewater Property Group and consulting firm Flycatcher represented Amazon in the application process.
The permit includes a number of conditions Amazon must follow going forward. The company still needs permits from the Maine Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before starting construction.
The DEP’s decision comes about a month after Amazon’s project was approved at the town level. Citizens group Gorham United earlier this week appealed that decision in court on the basis that the town did not properly apply local environmental and traffic standards in that decision.
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Tagged: amazon, environment, maine department of environmental protection
Madeleine is a community reporter for Gorham, Buxton and Standish. She started her journalism career in Vermont, where she reported for Seven Days and served as the editor-in-chief of Middlebury College's. More by Madeleine Kaptein
