An Act To Create the Water Resources Planning Committee
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0199
Committee Amendment CA_A_H87 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
"to H.P. 162, L.D. 199, Bill, "An Act To Create 
the Water Resources Planning Committee" 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §6401 in subsection 1 in paragraph A in subparagaraph 
(1) by inserting after division (a) a new division to read: 
'(b) 
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Maine 
Agricultural Water Management Board;' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §6401 in subsection 1 in paragraph A in subparagaraph 
(1) by relettering the divisions to read alphabetically. 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §6401 in subsection 1 in paragraph A in subparagraph 
(2) by striking out all of divisions (g) and (h) (page 1, lines 29 and 30 in L.D.) and 
inserting the following: 
'(g) Water conservation education; and 
(h) Stormwater management or wastewater management.' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §6401 in subsection 1 by striking out all of paragraph 
B (page 1, lines 31 and 32, page 2, lines 1 to 38 and page 3, lines 1 to 14 in L.D.) and 
inserting the following: 
'B. The committee shall meet at least quarterly and report annually to the Department 
of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, beginning in August 2020. The committee 
shall plan for the sustainable use of water resources. The committee shall focus on: 
(1) Collecting and reviewing information regarding water withdrawal activities; 
(2) Coordinating state water resources information; and 
(3) 
Identifying watersheds at risk by refining the most recent analysis of 
watersheds at risk performed by the Bureau of Resource Information and Land 
Use Planning, Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine 
Geological Survey, including: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 162, L.D. 199 
(a) Conducting appropriate water resources investigations in watersheds at 
risk: 
(b) Considering projected increased water use by population, agricultural 
irrigation, commercial users, industrial users and other users; 
(c) Considering seasonal use: 
(d) Considering potential effects of climate change: 
(e) Considering the effects of anticipated future water quality classification 
changes on the availability of water for withdrawal: 
(f) In establishing priorities for further investigations, seeking input from the 
user community. from towns dealing with multimunicipal aquifers and from 
towns with significant local aquifers: and 
(g) Developing guidelines for consistency in further investigations.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment adds to committee membership personnel from the Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Agricultural Water Management Board and a 
member of the public with expertise in stormwater management or wastewater 
management. The amendment strikes the requirement that a member of the public with 
expertise in water advocacy serves on the committee 
The amendment strikes the 
requirement that the committee focus on developing a strategy for protecting and 
managing groundwater resources in this State if worldwide clean water resources are 
threatened. The amendment also strikes phases 2 and 3 in which the committee is 
required to focus effort. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 03/22/19 frac 
LD199 
LR 255(02) 
An Act To Create the Water Resources Planning Committee 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,.jl{ // ~ 'g7) 
Committee: Agriculture Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestty, the Public Utilities Commission, 
the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Depaiiment of Health and Human Services to participate in the 
Water Resources Planning Committee are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted 
resources. 
LR0255(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1