Whereas, contamination with bacteria, nitrates, hydrocarbon and fuel products and pesticides and other toxic chemicals remains a common concern for public water suppliers in Maine despite existing programs; and

Whereas, the Governor has made the protection of public water supplies a priority in plans for providing safe water to the citizens of the State; and

Whereas, recent events have demonstrated the susceptibility of public water supply wells to unexpected contamination; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Public Water Supply Protection Task Force, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established to study the improvement of public water supply protection; and be it further

Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 17 members appointed as follows:

1. Four Legislators, 2 of whom must be Senators, appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 of whom must be members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

2. One member representing the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services;

3. One member representing the Department of Environmental Protection, appointed by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection;

4. One member representing the Department of Conservation, appointed by the Commissioner of Conservation;

5. One member representing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, appointed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;

6. One member representing the Department of Transportation, appointed by the Commissioner of Transportation; and

7. Eight public members appointed by the Governor representing consumer-owned water utilities, investor-owned water