Maine Revised Statutes

1. Investigation.  The commissioner may investigate a solid waste landfill, including an abandoned landfill, when there is a reasonable basis to believe that an unauthorized discharge has occurred or may be occurring. The commissioner shall consult with and involve the affected municipality or municipalities in the conduct of the investigation and evaluation of the results of the investigation.

2. Remediation recommendations.  When, after investigation, the commissioner has sufficient knowledge that a solid waste landfill poses a hazard to public health or the environment, the commissioner may undertake additional evaluations to develop a recommended plan for remediation of the hazard. Remediation recommendations must ensure a level or standard of control of pollutants in surface waters at least as stringent as the water quality criteria established under chapter 3, subchapter I, article 4-A. Those recommendations must also seek to achieve a level or standard of control of pollutants in groundwater at least as stringent as the water quality criteria established under sections 465-C and 470, unless the commissioner finds that meeting those standards is technically and economically infeasible and that other measures may be implemented to ensure protection of public health and safety.

3. Remediation orders.  The commissioner may take measures necessary to effect a recommended plan for remediation or may incorporate the plan recommendations into a remediation order. The order must include the time schedule for implementation as required under section 1310-G. The person or municipality owning or operating the landfill is the party responsible for the implementation of the order. Any person aggrieved by the order may appeal the order as provided in section 341-D, subsection 4.