Resolve, Regarding Measures To Ensure the Continued Health and Commercial Viability of Maine's Seacoast by Establishing Nutrient Standards for Coastal Waters
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1297
Committee Amendment CA_A_H219 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·Ii "to H.P. 915, L.D. 1297, "Resolve, Regarding 
Measures To Ensure the Continued Health and Commercial Viability of Maine's Seacoast 
by Establishing Nutrient Standards for Coastal Waters" 
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. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
· ,~ 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" t. H.P. 915, L.D. 1297 
The department shall request some affected entities to suggest work plans and time lines 
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 it 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) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/30107 ;:IzJ'ac 
LD 1297 
LR 1895(02) 
Resolve, Regarding Measures To Ensure the Continued Health and Commercial Viability of Maine's 
Seacoast by Establishing Nutrient Standards for Coastal Waters 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment'~" 
Committee: Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
LR1895(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1