An Act To Assist Towns in Eradicating Milfoil and Other Invasive Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0070
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: FREDETTE

Legislative Document 
No. 70 
H.P. 64 
House of Representatives, January 16, 2015 
An Act To Assist Towns in Eradicating Milfoil and Other Invasive 
Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative FREDETTE of Newport. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species such as milfoil pose a 
substantial threat to the environment and economy of the State; and 
Whereas, effective removal and control of infestations of invasive aquatic plants 
and nuisance species can be achieved only through adequately funded programs; and 
Whereas, the infestation of Maine's lakes by invasive aquatic plants and nuisance 
species is worsening, and the funding needs of municipalities and other entities working 
to combat these issues must be addressed immediately; 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 funding in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 to the Invasive Aquatic 
Plant and Nuisance Species Fund to supplement existing funds used for the inspection of 
watercraft and for the containment and eradication of invasive aquatic plants and 
nuisance species. 
INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF 
Enforcement Operations - IF&W 0537 
Initiative:  Provides funding in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 to the Lake and River 
Protection Fund to supplement existing funds used for the inspection of watercraft, the 
eradication and management of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species and the 
production and distribution of lake and river protection stickers. 
GENERAL FUND 
2014-15
2015-16
$900,000
$900,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$900,000
$900,000
GENERAL FUND 
2014-15
2015-16
$225,000
$225,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$225,000
$225,000
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill provides funding in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 in the amount of 
$225,000 for the Lake and River Protection Fund within the Department of Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife and in the amount of $900,000 for the Invasive Aquatic Plant and 
Nuisance Species Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection.  These 
General Fund distributions are intended to correspond to the annual average funds 
deposited into each of these accounts representing fees collected on motorboat and 
personal watercraft lake and river protection stickers issued pursuant to the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 13058, subsection 3.  Pursuant to statute, these funds 
are used by each department to engage in activities relating to the containment, 
eradication and management of the spread of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species 
in Maine, to assist municipalities and other entities in accomplishing these goals and to 
aid in the enforcement of laws and rules pertaining to invasive aquatic plants and 
nuisance species.