An Act To Streamline the Administration of Significant Vernal Pool Habitat Protection
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1952
Committee Amendment CA_A_H758 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "~,, to H.P. 1390, L.D. 1952, Bill, "An Act To 
Streamline the Administration of Significant Vernal Pool Habitat Protection" 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the 
following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the determination of whether or not a vernal pool habitat is significant for 
the purposes of the Natural Resources Protection Act is necessary to ensure proper 
protection of the resource; and 
Whereas, the timeframe for making a determination of whether a vernal pool habitat 
is not significant and therefore not protected under the Natural Resources Protection Act 
needs to be expanded prior to the commencement of the next field determination season; 
and 
Whereas, in order to reduce confusion, clarification of the specific types of rare 
species that must be evaluated in determining whether a vernal pool habitat is significant 
is needed prior to the commencement of the next field determination season; 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, ' 
Amend the bill in section I in §480-FF in the first and 2nd lines (page I, lines 4 and 5 
in L.D.) by striking out the following: 
"high and moderate value waterfowl and 
wading bird habitats" 
Amend the bill in section I in §480-FF in the 2nd line (page I, line 7 in L.D.) by 
striking out the following: "(2) or" 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
'. 
fl. 
, .. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"~ "to H,P, 1390, L.D. 1952 
Amend the bill in section 3 in subsection 1 by striking out all of paragraphs Band C 
(page 1, lines 39 and 40 and page 2, lines 1 to 6 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'B. 
In addition to state threatened and endangered species, for purposes of 
determining whether a vernal pool habitat is significant, the rare species that must be 
considered are limited to: Ribbon Snakes, Wood Turtles, Swamp Darner Dragonflies 
and Comet Darner Dragonflies. 
C. In order to be identified as part of a significant vernal pool habitat, the vernal pool 
may not have a permanent flowing inlet or outlet.' 
Amend the bill by adding before the summary the following: 
'Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited In the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment further narrows the requirement for notification concernmg 
significant wildlife habitats to shorebird nesting, feeding and staging areas. It clarifies 
that for purposes of identifYing a significant vernal pool habitat, the consideration of rare 
species is limited to the species identified in the bill. It clarifies that in order to be 
identified as part of a significant vernal pool habitat, the vernal pool may not have a 
permanently flowing inlet or outlet. 
It also adds an emergency preamble and an 
emergency clause. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/05/08 MaC! 
LD 1952 
LR 3075(02) 
An Act To Streamline the Administration of Significant Vernal Pool Habitat Protection 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "R " 
Committee: Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
The additional costs to the Departments of Environmental Protection and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife associated 
with rulemaking can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR3075(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I