Whereas, it is necessary that this legislation take effect before the 90-day period so that salvage activities may begin immediately; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1867, sub-§1, ¶A-1 is enacted to read:

A-1.__"Pulpwood" means a portion of a tree intended for use in the paper-making process.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §1867, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 678, §13, is amended to read:

B. "Salvage" means any activity involved in the retrieval of sunken logs or pulpwood from submerged land.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §1867, sub-§6 is enacted to read:

6.__Pulpwood salvage exemption.__A person who has been granted a charter or other specific authorization by the Legislature prior to June 30, 1998 to erect and maintain piers and booms to collect and store pulpwood in waters over submerged lands may salvage the pulpwood stored in compliance with that charter and is exempt from subsections 3, 4 and 5 of this section, as long as:

A.__The person provides documentation satisfactory to the bureau of the legislative charter or approval specifically authorizing pulpwood storage at the proposed salvage site;

B.__The salvaged pulpwood is to be processed at a mill owned by the person performing the salvage;

C.__The person performing the salvage obtains and complies with all applicable permitting and other legal requirements of local, state and federal agencies having jurisdiction over the salvage activity; and