An Act To Control Flooding
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1219
Committee Amendment CA_A_S135 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P. 407, L.D. 1219, Bill, "An Act To 
Control Flooding" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Study Flood Control and Water Storage' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Study of flood control and water storage. Resolved: That the 
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Defense, Veterans and 
Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency, referred to in this 
resolve as "the agencies," shall undertake a study of current state and federal laws 
regarding flood control and water storage by hydropower facilities, water level regimes of 
regulated storage reservoirs, the impact of those laws and regimes on flood control and 
any other consideration the agencies determine to be necessary to effectuate the purpose 
of the study. The purpose of the study is to identifY ways to reduce the threat of flooding 
in the State. 
In conducting the study, the agencies shall invite the participation of 
interested stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives of hydropower 
facilities, environmental groups and municipal officials. 
By January 15, 2008, the 
agencies shall submit a report related to the study under this section, along with any 
necessary implementing legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Natural Resources. The Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources is authorized to 
submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd 
Legislature; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Review of criteria for water level modification. Resolved: That the 
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Emergency 
Management Agency shall review and submit a report on the criteria and procedures by 
which the water levels of dams and flood control structures in the State are modified in 
emergency circumstances and the procedures for notifYing downstream properties of 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "II " 
to S.P. 407, L.D. 1219 
those water level modifications. 
The report must include an assessment of the 
effectiveness of those procedures in connection with the major rain events that occurred 
in May 2006 and April 2007. 
The report must be submitted to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Natural Resources by January 15, 2008.' 
/ 
SUMMARY 
The amendment changes the bill to a resolve. 
The amendment directs the 
Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Defense, Veterans and 
Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency to undertake a study 
for the purpose of identifying ways to reduce the threat of flooding in the State. In 
conducting the study, the agencies are directed to invite the participation of interested 
stakeholders. The report must be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural 
Resources by January IS, 2008 and the committee is authorized to submit legislation 
related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. The 
amendment also directs the Maine Emergency Management Agency to review and submit 
a report on the criteria and procedures by which dams and flood control structures modify 
water levels in emergency circumstances and the procedures for notifying downstream 
properties of those water level modifications. The report must be submitted to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Natural Resources by January 15, 2008. 
FISCAL :\OTE H.E.(JURED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05122/07 ;:b?ac 
( 
LD 1219 
LR 2339(02) 
An Act To Control Flooding 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '/4 " 
Committee: Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
The additional costs associated with this legislation can be absorbed by the Department of Environmental Protection 
and the Maine Emergency Management Agency utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR2339(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1