CHAPTER 29

S.P. 445 - L.D. 1265

Resolve, Regarding Source Water Protection

Sec. 1. Report. Resolved: That the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall submit a report as provided in this section to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources by February 1, 2006. The report must address whether additional requirements are needed for source water protection in this State and describe recommended options to address those needs. Options may include, but are not limited to, water supply source water protection approaches modeled after shoreland zoning, use of statutory performance standards and use of specific land use prohibitions or controls. The report may not address minimum state standards for excavations of 5 or more acres for borrow, clay, topsoil or silt.

After receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature requiring the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a process to allow public comment on the options recommended by the department and to report to a future Legislature with subsequent recommendations after consideration of the public comments by the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of