126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1147		LR 767(01)
	An Act To Protect Maine's Scenic Character
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Hayes of Buckfield
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
			FY 2013-14	FY 2014-15	Projections  FY 2015-16	Projections  FY 2016-17
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$283,000	$0	$0	$0
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$283,000	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	Directing the Department of Environmental Protection to reevaluate and update the scenic resources sections of "Maine's Finest Lakes" report will require a one-time General Fund appropriation of $283,000 in FY 2013-14 for various visual impact assessment services performed by a qualified contractor.  Costs include $3,000 for preliminary in-office assessments of various lakes using maps (40 hrs. @ $75/hr.), $160,000 for hiring a chartered float plane pilot to assist with performing visual assessments of 200 lakes (4 hrs. per lake @ $200/hr.), $60,000 for field work related to the visual assessment of 200 lakes (800 hrs. @ $75/hr.) and $60,000 for scenic value determinations and compiling the final report (800 hrs. @ $75/hr.).
	The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Maine Land Use Planning Commission (MLUPC), to reevaluate and update the scenic resources sections of the "Maine Wildlands Lakes Assessment" using existing resources.  The department has indicated that this update would require hiring a consultant at an estimated cost of $250,000.  The current annual operating budget for MLUPC is approximately $133,000.