Sec. 1. 38 MRSA c. 3, sub-c. I, art. 4-B is enacted to read:

I.

Article 4-B

WATER WITHDRAWAL REPORTING PROGRAM

§470-A.__Definitions

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

1.__Nonconsumptive use.__"Nonconsumptive use" means any use of water that results in the water being discharged back into the same river basin at the same location in unimpaired quality.

2.__Water source.__"Water source" means any natural or artificial aquifer or body of surface water, including its watershed where ground and surface water sources are interconnected in a single hydrological system.

3.__Withdrawal; withdrawal of water.__"Withdrawal" or "withdrawal of water" means the removal or taking of water from a water source.__All withdrawals of water from a particular water source that are made or controlled by a single person are considered to be a single withdrawal of water.

§470-B.__Water withdrawal report; filing

Except as otherwise provided in this article, beginning on January 1, 2002, each person making a withdrawal in excess of the threshold volume shall file a water withdrawal report in accordance with the form specified by the department on a quarterly basis.

§470-C.__Contents of water withdrawal reports

The department shall specify the form and required contents of a water withdrawal report.__The water withdrawal report may be submitted to the department in an electronic format.__The information must be available to the public.__A water withdrawal report must include, at a minimum, the following:

1.__Use.__The use for which the water is being withdrawn;

2.__Water source.__An identification of the water source from which the withdrawal is being made, in sufficient detail to describe the water source adequately;