(1) In its findings, the office shall clearly indicate its position on any point on which there are significant conflicts among the written comments submitted to the office.

(2) If the office finds that the comprehensive plan or growth management program was adopted under in accordance with the procedures, goals and guidelines established in this subchapter, the office shall issue a finding of consistency for the comprehensive plan or a certificate of consistency for the growth management program.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph D, if a municipality or multimunicipal region requests a certificate of consistency for its growth management program, any unmodified component of that program that has previously been reviewed by the office and has received a finding of consistency will retain that finding during program certification review by the office as long as the finding of consistency is current as defined in rules adopted by the office;

D. Provide ample opportunity for the municipality or multimunicipal region submitting a comprehensive plan or growth management program to respond to and correct any identified deficiencies in the plan or program. A finding of inconsistency for a comprehensive plan or growth management program may be addressed within 24 months of the date of the finding without jeopardizing partial findings of consistency attained during that review addressing any new review standards that are created during that time interval. After 24 months, the plan or program must be resubmitted in its entirety for state review under the office's most current review standards; and

Sec. 16. 30-A MRSA §4349-A, sub-§1, ķA, as amended by PL 2001, c. 406, §12, is further amended to read:

A. A locally designated growth area, as identified in a comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to and consistent with the procedures, goals and guidelines of this subchapter or as identified in a growth management program certified under section 4347-A;

Sec. 17. 30-A MRSA §4349-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2001, c. 406, §15, is further amended to read: