An Act To Improve the Water Quality of Inland Waters
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1694
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: KESCHL, SAVIELLO

Legislative Document 
No. 1694 
H.P. 1218 
House of Representatives, January 7, 2014 
An Act To Improve the Water Quality of Inland Waters 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative KESCHL of Belgrade. 
Cosponsored by Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, Maine's lakes generate in excess of $3,400,000,000 in revenue each year, 
provide employment for 52,000 people and underpin our increasingly important tourism 
economy; and 
Whereas, water quality in Maine's lakes, considered as having some of the highest 
water quality in the nation, has declined by as much as 20% since 1995 due to the 
introduction of phosphorus and other pollutants carried by eroded soils and storm water 
runoff from camp roads, driveways and lawns and from failing septic systems; and 
Whereas, in many communities waterfront properties generate 60% to 70% of the 
tax base and any decline in water quality will cause property values to drop by 15% to 
20% and will shift the tax burden to nonwaterfront homeowners; and 
Whereas, scientific studies demonstrate that programs such as the LakeSmart 
program, which is a voluntary education and reward program for lakefront property 
owners who maintain their property in ways that protect lake water quality and property 
values, that keep phosphorus and other pollutants out of lakes are among the most cost-
effective ways to protect lakes; and 
Whereas, the LakeSmart program, as operated by the Maine Lakes Society, has 
tripled the number of lakes and waterfront properties that participate in the program; and 
Whereas, the Maine Lakes Society operates the LakeSmart program for 
approximately 2/3 of the cost of the program as run by the Department of Environmental 
Protection; and  
Whereas, the success of the LakeSmart program depends upon its widespread use 
throughout the State; and  
Whereas, it is in the best interest of the State to support the Maine Lakes Society 
and its implementation of the LakeSmart program as the State seeks to ensure the health 
of its long-term economy, the employment of its residents and the strength of its 
communities; and 
Whereas, scientific analysis of the data gathered through the efforts of volunteers 
throughout the State who participate in the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program is 
critical to the understanding of the current water quality of our lakes; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period in order to provide funding for the LakeSmart program and to analyze data from 
the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program in fiscal year 2013-14; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF 
Land and Water Quality 0248 
Initiative: Provides annual appropriations of $80,000 for the purpose of supporting the 
Maine Lakes Society in its implementation of the LakeSmart program and $20,000 for 
the purpose of analyzing the data gathered by the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring 
Program. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill appropriates $100,000 annually to the Department of Environmental 
Protection to provide $80,000 to the Maine Lakes Society in its implementation of the 
LakeSmart program and $20,000 for the purpose of analyzing the data gathered by the 
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. 
GENERAL FUND 
2013-14
2014-15
All Other 
$100,000
$100,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$100,000
$100,000