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Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘Resolve, Regarding Measures To Ensure the Continued Health and Commercial Viability of Maine's Seacoast by Establishing Nutrient Criteria for Coastal Waters’
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the preamble and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1 Nutrient criteria planning process established. Resolved: That the Department of Environmental Protection, referred to in this resolve as "the department," shall initiate the development of water quality criteria for nutrients in state coastal waters by developing:
1. A conceptual plan to establish appropriate nutrient criteria for all coastal areas of the State;
2. A work plan and timeline leading to approved nutrient criteria for coastal waters;
3. A report on available technological approaches to nutrient reduction of wastewater, including projected costs on a per unit basis; and
4. An inventory of significant point and nonpoint sources of nutrients to the waters of Casco Bay; and be it further
Sec. 2 Consultation. Resolved: That, in order to identify a reasonable plan for establishing appropriate nutrient criteria, in developing the information and material under section 1, the department shall initiate a series of discussions with wastewater treatment facilities and interested organizations to solicit input and gather information. The department shall request some affected entities to suggest work plans and timelines for complying with nutrient criteria; and be it further
Sec. 3 Casco Bay priorities. Resolved: That the department shall initially focus on the waters of Casco Bay due to its:
1. Being the receiving water for the most populated watershed in the State;
2. Bordering one of the most residentially and industrially developed regions in the State;
3. Facing the effects of future development;
4. High concentrations of nutrients; and
5. Comprehensive set of available nutrient data; and be it further
Sec. 4 Legislation authorized. Resolved: That the department shall report its findings and submit the material developed pursuant to section 1 and any necessary legislation to implement its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources no later than January 31, 2008. The Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources is authorized to submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the resolve. This amendment removes the requirement in the resolve for the Department of Environmental Protection to develop nutrient standards for coastal waters and instead directs the Department of Environmental Protection to establish the process for setting nutrient criteria for coastal waters by January 31, 2008 to reduce marine pollution. The amendment removes language regarding the role of nutrient pollution as a source of pollution, removes language directing the department to work to implement standards for the rest of the State's waters once standards are established for Casco Bay and directs the department to include in its report any necessary implementing legislation.
 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)