Sec. 1. 12 MRSA c. 613 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 613

MARINE DREDGE SPOILS

§6271.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Commercial activity.__"Commercial activity" means a marine-related activity conducted on a regular basis for money or other valuable remuneration.__It includes but is not limited to carrying passengers or freight, harvesting, processing and selling seafood and renting moorings or dock space to boat owners.

2.__Marine dredge spoils.__"Marine dredge spoils" means material dredged or removed from land continually submerged below salt water or intertidal waters to assist or further a commercial activity.

§6272.__Testing and disposal of marine dredge spoils

1.__Administration.__The department shall administer funds for the testing of marine dredge spoils and the disposal of marine dredge spoils that are special waste or hazardous waste, as defined in Title 38, section 1303-C and rules of the Department of Environmental Protection, in order to prevent further pollution and ensure proper disposal of any contaminated marine dredge spoils.

A.__Any bonds issued by the department under this section or rules adopted under this section must be paid for out of the General Fund.

B.__Allocation of funds from the bonds must be based upon criteria prepared by the department in cooperation with stakeholders identified by the department.

C.__In administering these funds, the department shall provide funding for approved projects according to the order of priority established biennially by the department.__Once priority is established, all projects on the list of approved projects must be funded before any new projects are added to the list.

D.__The department shall establish guidelines to fund eligible projects in a consistent and timely manner.