2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 12: CONSERVATION › Part 2: FORESTS, PARKS, LAKES AND RIVERS › Chapter 201-A: GEOLOGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES › Subchapter 1: DIVISION OF GEOLOGY, NATURAL AREAS AND COASTAL RESOURCES › 12 §542. Survey; powers and duties

§542. Survey; powers and duties
1.  Information program.
The survey shall develop and administer a program to gather, interpret, publish and disseminate information relating to the geologic features of the State including, but not limited to, hydrogeologic, marine-estuarine, bedrock, surficial and economic geology.
[PL 1977, c. 360, §6 (NEW).]
1-A.  Identification and mapping.
The survey, in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey is directed to delineate those areas of the State which are underlain with porous surficial geologic materials which are aquifers capable of and likely to yield significant amounts of ground water. The survey is directed to delineate areas that serve as important aquifer recharge areas. Aquifers and aquifer recharge areas shall be identified by standard geologic and hydrologic investigations, which may include drilling observation wells, performing pumping tests, water sampling and geologic mapping.
[PL 1979, c. 472, §1 (NEW).]
2.  Information furnished agencies and public; environmental development applications.
To the extent of its available resources, the survey shall provide, as requested, geologic information to public agencies and the general public. The survey may review the geologic aspects of environmental and site development applications under consideration by state and federal regulatory agencies.
[PL 1977, c. 360, §6 (NEW).]
2-A.  Solicitation of information.
Insofar as possible, all state agencies shall provide any information on geological resources, including ground water, that the survey may request. The survey shall actively solicit the cooperation of private water well drillers in obtaining information on surficial geology, bedrock and the hydrology of the State.
[PL 1979, c. 472, §2 (NEW).]
3.  Employees.
The survey may employ or retain such professional and other employees, subject to the Civil Service Law, as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, within the limits of the funds available.
[PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §58 (AMD).]
4.  Mineral resources development.
The survey is responsible for the orderly development of mineral resources on state-owned lands, including submerged lands and waters, both inland and tidal, acting in conjunction with the Bureau of Parks and Lands.
[PL 1977, c. 360, §6 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. E, §30 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]
5.  Research projects.
The survey may initiate, contract for and manage research projects relating to the purposes of this chapter.
[PL 1977, c. 360, §6 (NEW).]
6.  Royalties, fees and rents.
The survey receives all royalties, fees and rents accruing to the State under this chapter, which must be paid into a separate account to be established by the Treasurer of State to be used for salaries and other expenses incurred in the administration of this chapter, subject to and to the extent permitted by section 1849. The account may not lapse but must continue from year to year.
[PL 1997, c. 678, §2 (AMD).]
7.  Rules and regulations.
The survey may from time to time adopt, amend, repeal, pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II, and enforce reasonable rules and regulations necessary to carry out the duties assigned to it.
[PL 1977, c. 694, §207 (RPR).]
8.  Printing fund.
[PL 1981, c. 542, §1 (RP).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1977, c. 360, §6 (NEW). PL 1977, c. 694, §207 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 472, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1981, c. 542, §1 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 785, §B58 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 502, §E30 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 678, §2 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV). PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).