An Act To Update Certain Water Quality Standards and To Reclassify Certain Waters of the State
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1964
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Amends: 38 MRSA §361-A, 38 MRSA §363-D, 38 MRSA §464, 38 MRSA §465, 38 MRSA §465-A, 38 MRSA §465-B, 38 MRSA §466, 38 MRSA §467, 38 MRSA §468

Legislative Document
No. 1964
S.P. 690
In Senate, February 10, 2022
An Act To Update Certain Water Quality Standards and To 
Reclassify Certain Waters of the State
Reported by Senator BRENNER of Cumberland for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 353.
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  38 MRSA §361-A, sub-§1-L, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 319, §1, is 
repealed.
Sec. 2.  38 MRSA §363-D, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 579, §1, is amended to read:
§363-D.  Waiver or modification of protection and improvement laws
The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may waive or modify any of the 
provisions of this chapter if that waiver or modification promotes or assists any oil spill 
response activity conducted in accordance with the national contingency plan, a federal 
contingency plan, the state marine oil spill contingency plan, or as otherwise directed by 
the federal on-scene coordinator, the commissioner or commissioner's designee.  A waiver 
issued by the commissioner under this section must be in writing.
This section does not apply to state or federal water quality standards applicable to any 
waters of the State, including, but not limited to, designated uses, criteria to protect existing 
and designated uses and antidegradation policies.
Sec. 3.  38 MRSA §464, sub-§2, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 698, §15, is 
amended to read:
C.  The Pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph B, the board may recommend changes in 
classification it deems considers necessary to the Legislature.
Sec. 4.  38 MRSA §464, sub-§2-A, ¶E, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 344, §1, is 
amended to read:
E.  If the board adopts a proposal to enact a designated use under paragraph A, 
subparagraph (1) or to remove a designated use or adopt a subcategory of a designated 
use under paragraph A, subparagraph (2), it shall forward that proposal submit to the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and 
natural resources matters at during the next regular session of the Legislature a report 
that includes that recommendation and the joint standing committee may report out 
legislation to implement that recommendation.  The board may not forward propose 
any other recommendation to the Legislature under this subsection.  The Legislature 
has sole authority to make changes in the designated uses of the waters of the State, 
including the creation of a subcategory of a designated use.
Sec. 5.  38 MRSA §464, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2015, c. 124, §6, is further 
amended to read:
3.  Reports to the Legislature.  The department commissioner or the board, as 
applicable, shall periodically report to the Legislature as governed by the following 
provisions follows.
A.  The commissioner shall submit to During the first regular session of each 
Legislature, the commissioner shall submit to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources matters a report 
on the quality of the State's waters which that describes existing water quality, 
identifies waters that are not attaining their classification and states what measures are 
necessary for the attainment of the standards of their classification.
B.  The board shall, from time to time, but at least once every 3 years, hold public 
hearings for the purpose of reviewing the water quality classification system and 
related standards and, as appropriate, recommending changes in the standards to the 
Legislature.  After conducting the review, the board shall submit to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and natural 
resources matters a report describing the board's findings and any recommendations 
for changes to the water quality classification system and related standards and the joint 
standing committee may report out legislation to implement those recommendations.
C.  The commissioner shall report to During the first regular session of each 
Legislature, the commissioner shall submit to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources matters a report 
on the status of licensed discharges.
Sec. 6.  38 MRSA §464, sub-§4, ¶A, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §2, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (5) to read:
(5)  Discharge of pollutants to any water of the State that violates sections 465, 
465-A and 465-B, except as provided in section 451; causes the "pH" of fresh 
waters to fall outside of the 6.0 to 8.5 6.5 to 9.0 range; or causes the "pH" of 
estuarine and marine waters to fall outside of the 7.0 to 8.5 range;
Sec. 7.  38 MRSA §464, sub-§4, ¶F, as amended by PL 1991, c. 66, Pt. B, §1, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  Where high quality waters of the State constitute an outstanding national 
resource, that water quality must be maintained and protected.  For purposes of this 
paragraph, the following waters are considered outstanding national resources: 
those water bodies in national and state parks and wildlife refuges and in the 
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument; those water bodies in public 
reserved lands; and those water bodies classified as Class AA and SA waters 
pursuant to section 465, subsection 1; section 465-B, subsection 1; and listed under 
sections 467, 468 and 469.
Sec. 8.  38 MRSA §464, sub-§4, ¶F, as amended by PL 1991, c. 66, Pt. B, §1, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (4) to read:
(4)  When the actual quality of any classified water exceeds the minimum standards 
of the next highest classification, that higher water quality must be maintained and 
protected.  The Pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph B, the board shall recommend 
to the Legislature that that water be reclassified in the next higher classification.
Sec. 9.  38 MRSA §465, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §4, is further 
amended to read:
B.  The aquatic life, dissolved oxygen and bacteria content of Class AA waters must 
be as naturally occurs, except that the number of Escherichia coli bacteria in these 
waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 64 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters over a 
90-day interval or 236 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters in more than 10% of the 
samples in any 90-day interval.
Sec. 10.  38 MRSA §465, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §5, is further 
amended to read:
B.  The dissolved oxygen content of Class A waters may not be less than 7 parts per 
million or 75% of saturation, whichever is higher, except that for the period from 
October 1st to May 14th, in order to ensure spawning and egg incubation of indigenous 
fish species, the 7-day mean dissolved oxygen concentration may not be less than 9.5 
parts per million and the one-day minimum dissolved oxygen concentration may not 
be less than 8.0 parts per million in identified fish spawning areas.  The aquatic life and 
bacteria content of Class A waters must be as naturally occurs, except that the numbers 
of Escherichia coli bacteria in these waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 64 
CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters over a 90-day interval or 236 CFU or MPN per 100 
milliliters in more than 10% of the samples in any 90-day interval.
Sec. 11.  38 MRSA §465, sub-§3, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §6, is further 
amended to read:
B.  Class B waters must be of sufficient quality to support all aquatic species indigenous 
to those waters without detrimental changes in the resident biological community.  The 
dissolved oxygen content of Class B waters may not be less than 7 parts per million or 
75% of saturation, whichever is higher, except that for the period from October 1st to 
May 14th, in order to ensure spawning and egg incubation of indigenous fish species, 
the 7-day mean dissolved oxygen concentration may not be less than 9.5 parts per 
million and the one-day minimum dissolved oxygen concentration may not be less than 
8.0 parts per million in identified fish spawning areas.  Between April 15th and October 
31st, the number of Escherichia coli bacteria in these waters may not exceed a 
geometric mean of 64 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters over a 90-day interval or 236 
CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters in more than 10% of the samples in any 90-day 
interval.
Sec. 12.  38 MRSA §465, sub-§4, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §8, is further 
amended to read:
B.  Class C waters must be of sufficient quality to support all species of fish indigenous 
to those waters and to maintain the structure and function of the resident biological 
community.  The dissolved oxygen content of Class C water may not be less than 5 
parts per million or 60% of saturation, whichever is higher, except that in identified 
salmonid spawning areas where water quality is sufficient to ensure spawning, egg 
incubation and survival of early life stages, that water quality sufficient for these 
purposes must be maintained.  In order to provide additional protection for the growth 
of indigenous fish, the following standards apply.
(1)  The 30-day average dissolved oxygen criterion of a Class C water is 6.5 parts 
per million using a temperature of 22 degrees centigrade or the ambient 
temperature of the water body, whichever is less, if:
(a)  A license or water quality certificate other than a general permit was issued 
prior to March 16, 2004 for the Class C water and was not based on a 6.5 parts 
per million 30-day average dissolved oxygen criterion; or
(b)  A discharge or a hydropower project was in existence on March 16, 2005 
and required but did not have a license or water quality certificate other than a 
general permit for the Class C water.
This criterion for the water body applies to licenses and water quality certificates 
issued on or after March 16, 2004.
(2)  In Class C waters not governed by subparagraph (1), dissolved oxygen may 
not be less than 6.5 parts per million as a 30-day average based upon a temperature 
of 24 degrees centigrade or the ambient temperature of the water body, whichever 
is less.  This criterion for the water body applies to licenses and water quality 
certificates issued on or after March 16, 2004.
The department may negotiate and enter into agreements with licensees and water 
quality certificate holders in order to provide further protection for the growth of 
indigenous fish.  Agreements entered into under this paragraph are enforceable as 
department orders according to the provisions of sections 347-A to 349.
Between April 15th and October 31st, the number of Escherichia coli bacteria in Class 
C waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 100 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters 
over a 90-day interval or 236 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters in more than 10% of the 
samples in any 90-day interval.   The board shall adopt rules governing the procedure 
for designation of spawning areas. Those rules must include provision for periodic 
review of designated spawning areas and consultation with affected persons prior to 
designation of a stretch of water as a spawning area.
Sec. 13.  38 MRSA §465-A, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §10, is 
further amended to read:
B.  Class GPA waters must be described by their trophic state based on measures of 
the chlorophyll "a" content, Secchi disk transparency, total phosphorus content and 
other appropriate criteria. Class GPA waters must have a stable or decreasing trophic 
state, subject only to natural fluctuations, and must be free of culturally induced algal 
blooms that impair their use and enjoyment.  The number of Escherichia coli bacteria 
in these waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 29 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters 
over a 90-day interval or 194 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters in more than 10% of the 
samples in any 90-day interval.  The aquatic life of Class GPA waters must be as 
naturally occurs.
Sec. 14.  38 MRSA §465-B, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §11, is 
further amended to read:
B.  The estuarine and marine life, dissolved oxygen and bacteria content of Class SA 
waters must be as naturally occurs, except that the number of enterococcus bacteria in 
these waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 8 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters in 
any 90-day interval or 54 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters in more than 10% of the 
samples in any 90-day interval.  The number of total coliform bacteria or other 
specified indicator organisms in samples representative of the waters in shellfish 
harvesting areas may not exceed the criteria recommended under the National Shellfish 
Sanitation Program, United States Food and Drug Administration as set forth in its 
publication "Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish" (2019 revision) or any 
successor publication.
Sec. 15.  38 MRSA §465-B, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §12, is 
further amended to read:
B.  Class SB waters must be of sufficient quality to support all estuarine and marine 
species indigenous to those waters without detrimental changes in the resident 
biological community.  The dissolved oxygen content of Class SB waters may not be 
less than 85% of saturation.  Between April 15th and October 31st, the number of 
enterococcus bacteria in these waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 8 CFU or 
MPN per 100 milliliters in any 90-day interval or 54 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters 
in more than 10% of the samples in any 90-day interval.  The number of total coliform 
bacteria or other specified indicator organisms in samples representative of the waters 
in shellfish harvesting areas may not exceed the criteria recommended under the 
National Shellfish Sanitation Program, United States Food and Drug Administration as 
set forth in its publication "Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish" (2019 
revision) or any successor publication.
Sec. 16.  38 MRSA §465-B, sub-§3, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 319, §13, is 
further amended to read:
B.  Class SC waters must be of sufficient quality to support all species of fish 
indigenous to those waters and to maintain the structure and function of the resident 
biological community.  The dissolved oxygen content of Class SC waters may not be 
less than 70% of saturation.  Between April 15th and October 31st, the number of 
enterococcus bacteria in these waters may not exceed a geometric mean of 14 CFU or 
MPN per 100 milliliters in any 90-day interval or 94 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters 
in more than 10% of the samples in any 90-day interval.  The number of total coliform 
bacteria or other specified indicator organisms in samples representative of the waters 
in restricted shellfish harvesting areas may not exceed the criteria recommended under 
the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, United States Food and Drug 
Administration as set forth in its publication "Guide for the Control of Molluscan 
Shellfish" (2019 revision) or any successor publication.
Sec. 17.  38 MRSA §466, sub-§2-C is enacted to read:
2-C.  CFU.  "CFU" means colony-forming units.
Sec. 18.  38 MRSA §466, sub-§8-B is enacted to read:
8-B.  MPN.  "MPN" means most probable number.
Sec. 19.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§1, ¶A, as affected by PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 
and amended by Pt. B, §68, is further amended to read:
A.  Androscoggin River, main stem, including all impoundments.
(1)  From the Maine-New Hampshire boundary to its confluence with the Ellis 
River - Class B.
(2)  From its confluence with the Ellis River to a line formed by the extension of 
the Bath-Brunswick boundary across Merrymeeting Bay in a northwesterly 
direction Worumbo Dam in Lisbon Falls - Class C.
(3)  From Worumbo Dam in Lisbon Falls to a line formed by the extension of the 
Bath-Brunswick boundary across Merrymeeting Bay in a northwesterly direction 
- Class B.
Sec. 20.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 317, §1, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  Little Androscoggin River, tributaries - Class B unless otherwise specified.
(a)  Outlet of Thompson Lake in Oxford - Class C.
(b)  Andrews Brook in Woodstock - Class A.
(c)  Black Brook in Woodstock - Class A.
(d)  Cushman Stream in Woodstock - Class A.
(e)  Meadow Brook in Woodstock - Class A.
(f)  Bog Brook and tributaries in Minot, Oxford and Hebron - Class A.
(g)  Twitchell Brook and its tributaries in Greenwood and Albany Township - 
Class A.
(h)  Tributaries upstream of the confluence with Twitchell Brook in 
Greenwood - Class A.
Sec. 21.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §1, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (6) to read:
(6)  Nezinscot River, east and west branches above their confluence in Buckfield 
and their tributaries - Class A.
Sec. 22.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §1, is 
further amended by enacting a new subparagraph (10) to read:
(10)  Cushman Stream in Woodstock, an unnamed tributary to Meadow Brook at 
Cushman Hill Road - Class A.
Sec. 23.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §1, is 
further amended by enacting a new subparagraph (11) to read:
(11)  Meadow Brook in Woodstock - Class A.
Sec. 24.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§4, ¶G, as repealed and replaced by PL 1989, c. 228, 
§2, is amended by amending subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  Sandy River, tributaries - Class B unless otherwise specified.
(a)  All tributaries entering above the Route 142 bridge in Phillips - Class A 
unless otherwise specified.
(a-1)  South Branch Sandy River and its tributaries - Class AA.
(a-2)  Cottle Brook and its tributaries - Class AA.
(b)  Wilson Stream, main stem, below the outlet of Wilson Pond - Class C.
(c)  Mount Blue Stream and its tributaries - Class A.
(d)  Orbeton Stream above Toothaker Pond Road and its tributaries - Class AA.
Sec. 25.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§5, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, §4, 
is further amended by amending subparagraph (7) to read:
(7)  Fletcher Brook in Township 36 Middle Division and its tributaries - Class AA.
Sec. 26.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§5, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, §4, 
is further amended by amending subparagraph (8) to read:
(8)  Magazine Brook in Township 43 Middle Division - Class AA.
Sec. 27.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§5, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, §4, 
is further amended by amending subparagraph (10) to read:
(10)  Chain Lakes Stream in Day Block Township, also known as Chain Lake 
Stream - Class AA.
Sec. 28.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§6-A, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, 
§6, is further amended by amending subparagraph (12) to read:
(12)  Little Narraguagus River in Township 22 Middle Division and Township 28 
Middle Division - Class AA.
Sec. 29.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶B, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §4 and c. 
463, §7, is further amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2), division (f) to read:
(f)  All tributaries entering the East Branch Penobscot River from the west, any 
portion of which is located within the boundaries of the Katahdin Woods and 
Waters National Monument - Class AA.
Sec. 30.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶B, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §4 and c. 
463, §7, is further amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2), division (g) to read:
(g)  Those segments of any tributary of the Sebois River that are located within 
the boundaries of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument - Class 
AA.
Sec. 31.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶B, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §4 and c. 
463, §7, is further amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2), division (h) to read:
(h)  Dry Brook, East Branch and West Branch Mud Brook and other tributaries 
located in T.3, R.7, W.E.L.S. that enter the East Branch Penobscot River from 
the east, any portion of which is located within the boundaries of the Katahdin 
Woods and Waters National Monument - Class AA.
Sec. 32.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶C, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §5, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (1), division (d) to read:
(d)  From the McKay powerhouse to its confluence with Ambajejus Lake a 
point located 1,000 feet downstream - Class A.
Sec. 33.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶C, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §5, is further 
amended by enacting a new subparagraph (1), division (d-1) to read:
(d-1)  From a point located 1,000 feet downstream of the McKay powerhouse 
to its confluence with Ambajejus Lake - Class AA.
Sec. 34.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶C, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §5, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (a) to read:
(a)  Those segments of any tributary that are located within the boundaries of 
Baxter State Park or the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument - 
Class AA.
Sec. 35.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶C, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §5, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (b) to read:
(b)  Those tributaries above entering between Ripogenus Dam and the 
confluence with the Debsconeag Deadwater, any portion of which is located 
within the boundaries of Baxter State Park Ambajejus Lake - Class AA.
Sec. 36.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶C, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §5, is further 
amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2), division (e) to read:
(e)  Nahmakanta Stream and its tributaries including tributaries to Nahmakanta 
Lake and upstream lakes - Class AA.
Sec. 37.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶E, as amended by PL 2009, c. 163, §5, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (e) to read:
(e)  Pleasant River, West Branch tributaries - Class A unless otherwise 
specified.
Sec. 38.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶E, as amended by PL 2019, c. 333, §5, is further 
amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2), division (e-1) to read:
(e-1)  Houston Brook and its tributaries - Class AA.
Sec. 39.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶E, as amended by PL 2009, c. 163, §5, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (k) to read:
(k)  Schoodic Stream and its tributaries - Class A.
Sec. 40.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶E, as amended by PL 2009, c. 163, §5, is further 
amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (l) to read:
(l)  Scutaze Stream and its tributaries - Class A.
Sec. 41.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶F, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, §7, is 
further amended by repealing subparagraph (1).
Sec. 42.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§7, ¶F, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, §7, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (12) to read:
(12)  Medunkeunk Stream and its tributaries - Class A.
Sec. 43.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§9, ¶A, as amended by PL 1999, c. 277, §12, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (3) to read:
(3)  From U.S. Route 202 to Saccarappa Falls, also known as Sacarappa Falls - 
Class B.
Sec. 44.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§9, ¶A, as amended by PL 1999, c. 277, §12, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (4) to read:
(4)  From Saccarappa Falls, also known as Sacarappa Falls, to tidewater - Class C.
Sec. 45.  38 MRSA §467, sub-§15, ¶F, as amended by PL 2019, c. 463, §13, is 
further amended by amending subparagraph (6) to read:
(6)  Southwest Branch, from a point located 5 miles downstream of the 
international boundary to its confluence with the Baker Northwest Branch - Class 
AA.
Sec. 46.  38 MRSA §468, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2017, c. 137, Pt. B, §11, 
is further amended by amending subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  Finnard Finnerd Brook - Class B.
Sec. 47.  38 MRSA §468, sub-§1, ¶J, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 163, §17, is 
repealed.
Sec. 48.  38 MRSA §468, sub-§2, ¶O, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 333, §10, is 
amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  Tributaries to Donnell Pond - Class A.
Sec. 49.  38 MRSA §468, sub-§2, ¶P, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 333, §10, is 
amended by enacting a new subparagraph (2) to read:
(2)  Tributaries to Donnell Pond - Class A.
Sec. 50.  38 MRSA §468, sub-§2, ¶Q is enacted to read:
Q.  Township 9 Southern Division.
(1)  Tributaries to Donnell Pond - Class A.
Sec. 51.  38 MRSA §468, sub-§2, ¶R is enacted to read:
R.  Franklin.
(1)  Tributaries to Donnell Pond - Class A.
SUMMARY
This bill, which is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and 
Natural Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 353, implements recommendations of the Board 
of Environmental Protection resulting from its review of the State’s water quality 
classification system and related water quality standards pursuant to the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 38, section 464, subsection 3, paragraph B.  As recommended by the board, 
the bill includes specific updates to certain water quality standards and water quality 
classifications based on water quality data and the recommendations of the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Protection and other 
parties.  In addition to those recommended changes, the bill also includes technical 
clarifications to certain board reporting responsibilities and the corresponding authority for 
legislation of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
environment and natural resources matters.
The committee has not taken a position on the substance of the bill and by reporting 
this bill out, the committee is not suggesting and does not intend to suggest that it agrees 
or disagrees with any aspect of this bill.  The committee is reporting the bill out for the sole 
purpose of obtaining a printed bill that can be referred to the committee for a public hearing 
and subsequent committee action in the normal course.