An Act To Create the Water Resources Planning Committee
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA Pt. 15-C is enacted to read:
PART 15-C
WATER RESOURCES PLANNING COMMITTEE
CHAPTER 357
WATER RESOURCES PLANNING COMMITTEE
§ 6401. Water Resources Planning Committee
(1) Personnel from:
(a) The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning, Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine Geological Survey;
(b) The Public Utilities Commission;
(c) The Department of Environmental Protection;
(d) The Maine Land Use Planning Commission; and
(e) The drinking water program of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(2) Members of the public with expertise in:
(a) Agriculture;
(b) Public water utilities;
(c) Water bottling and the sale of bottled water;
(d) The use of water by private domestic well owners;
(e) The environment and conservation;
(f) The use of water by commercial entities;
(g) Water advocacy; and
(h) Water conservation education.
(1) In the first phase, the committee shall focus on:
(a) Collecting and reviewing information regarding water withdrawal activities;
(b) Coordinating state water resources information;
(c) Identifying watersheds at risk by refining the most recent analysis of watersheds at risk performed by the Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning, Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine Geological Survey, including:
(i) Conducting appropriate water resources investigations in watersheds at risk;
(ii) Considering projected increased water use by population, agricultural irrigation, commercial users, industrial users and other users;
(iii) Considering seasonal use;
(iv) Considering potential effects of climate change;
(v) Considering the effects of anticipated future water quality classification changes on the availability of water for withdrawal;
(vi) In establishing priorities for further investigations, seeking input from the user community, from towns dealing with multimunicipal aquifers and from towns with significant local aquifers; and
(vii) Developing guidelines for consistency in further investigations; and
(d) Developing a strategy for protecting and managing groundwater resources in this State if worldwide clean water resources are threatened;
(2) In the 2nd phase, the committee shall focus on convening planning groups with respect to particular watersheds at risk or regions encompassing multiple watersheds at risk to develop water use management guidance for water withdrawals. Based on the needs of the individual watershed or region, planning group participants must be drawn from:
(a) Personnel from:
(i) The Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning, Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine Geological Survey;
(ii) The Public Utilities Commission;
(iii) The Department of Environmental Protection;
(iv) The Maine Land Use Planning Commission;
(v) The drinking water program of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(vi) The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and
(b) Members of the public with expertise in:
(i) Agriculture;
(ii) Public water utilities;
(iii) Water bottling and the sale of bottled water;
(iv) The environment and conservation;
(v) Aquaculture;
(vi) Business and commerce;
(vii) Industrial water use; and
(viii) Municipal government; and
(3) In the 3rd phase, if oversubscription of water use remains after the 2nd phase, the committee shall recommend a process to resolve issues.
On a schedule determined by the committee, the committee shall repeat the 3 phases outlined in this paragraph.
(1) Conservation of water resources;
(2) Development of regional sources and solutions to water use issues;
(3) Incentives for stewardship of water resources; and
(4) Effects of surface water quality improvements on water withdrawal opportunities.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§68-C is enacted to read:
| Natural Resources | Water Resources Planning Committee | Not Authorized | 5 MRSA §6401 |
SUMMARY
This bill estsablishes the Water Resources Planning Committee within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The bill describes requirements related to committee membership, meetings and reporting. It details 3 phases on which the committee is required to focus effort. It also requires the committee to conduct an annual review of state policy in regard to water resources, provide guidance to municipalities and develop and disseminate educational materials on water resources and the regulatory regime.