Resolve, Establishing Surface Use Restrictions on Great Meadow Stream and the Northern Portion of North Bay on Great Pond
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1876
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: KESCHL, SAVIELLO, DUCHESNE

Legislative Document 
No. 1876 
H.P. 1388 
House of Representatives, March 14, 2012 
Resolve, Establishing Surface Use Restrictions on Great Meadow 
Stream and the Northern Portion of North Bay on Great Pond 
(AFTER DEADLINE) 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative KESCHL of Belgrade. 
Cosponsored by Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin and 
Representative: DUCHESNE of Hudson. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation establishes surface use restrictions on certain bodies of 
water in order to enable effective suppression of the invasive aquatic plant variable-leaf 
water milfoil and to prevent the spread of this plant; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period in order for these surface use restrictions to be in place for the upcoming boating 
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, be it 
Sec. 1.  Definitions.  Resolved:  That, as used in this resolve, unless the context 
otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. 
1.  "Fish" has the same meaning as in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 
10001, subsection 23. 
2.  "Great Meadow Stream and the northern portion of North Bay on Great Pond" or 
"restricted area" means Great Meadow Stream south of where State Route 225 crosses 
Great Meadow Stream in the towns of Rome and Smithfield southward into the northern 
portion of North Bay on Great Pond in the towns of Rome and Belgrade to a line on the 
water marked by buoys maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection, with 
assistance from the Department of Conservation, that designate the restricted area. 
3.  "Invasive aquatic plant" has the same meaning as in Title 38, section 410-N, 
subsection 1, paragraph B. 
4.  "Watercraft" has the same meaning as in Title 12, section 13001, subsection 28; 
and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Surface use restrictions.  Resolved:  That temporary surface use 
restrictions are established on Great Meadow Stream and the northern portion of North 
Bay on Great Pond in the towns of Belgrade, Rome and Smithfield.  A person may not 
operate a watercraft in the restricted area except in the case of an emergency in which 
property or human safety is endangered or if the operation of a watercraft is authorized by 
the Department of Environmental Protection to survey for and remove invasive aquatic 
plants or to deploy and maintain fragment nets and buoys.  A person may not fish in the 
restricted area; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Repeal.  Resolved:  That this resolve is repealed January 1, 2013. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect April 1, 2012. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve imposes temporary surface use restrictions on Great Meadow Stream 
and the northern portion of North Bay on Great Pond in the towns of Belgrade, Rome and 
Smithfield.  A person may not operate a watercraft in the restricted area except in the case 
of an emergency in which property or human safety is endangered or if the operation of a 
watercraft is authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection to survey for and 
remove invasive aquatic plants or to deploy and maintain fragment nets and buoys.  A 
person may not fish in the restricted area.  The restrictions begin April 1, 2012 and end 
January 1, 2013.