125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1853		LR 2825(02)
	An Act To Improve Environmental Oversight and Streamline Permitting for Mining in Maine
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2011-12	FY 2012-13	Projections  FY 2013-14	Projections  FY 2014-15
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$0	$250,000	$250,000
Transfers
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill provides a revised statutory framework to regulate mining activity and designates the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as the agency responsible for permitting and regulating the development, operation and closure of metallic mining activities in the State. The DEP is charged with a number of rulemaking obligations, including but not limited to developing standards for exploration, advanced exploration, construction, operation, closure, postclosure monitoring, reclamation and remediation. In the case of property located within the unorganized territory, the Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) must certify that the proposed mining is an allowed use within the district in which it is located and that the proposed mining meets any standards established by LURC that are not considered in the DEP's review.
	The bill establishes the Metallic Mining Fund as a nonlapsing fund under the jurisdiction and control of the DEP.  The Fund will be used to pay for expenses incurred in the development and implementation of required rules and regulations. DEP estimates that rulemaking expenses will total approximately $500,000 over the 2014-2015 biennium. The Fund will require an allocation of $250,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2014-15 and will be funded by transferring $250,000 from the Groundwater Oil Clean-up Fund and $250,000 from the Uncontrolled Sites Fund by September 30, 2013. The Metallic Mining Fund will also receive fees as provided in the bill.