This bill also amends the erosion control standard in the quarry and gravel pit laws. This bill provides that externally drained areas, other than the working pit, must meet the standards of Maine's erosion and sedimentation control law. This standard would not be subject to a variance. The bill also provides that the working pit must be naturally internally drained at all times unless a variance is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill changes existing text, which provides that all reclaimed and unreclaimed areas, other than access roads, must be internally drained unless a variance is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection. This bill adds a definition of "working pit" to the quarry law.

This bill allows the Legislature to allocate up to $250,000 per year from the Maine Coastal and Inland Surface Oil Clean-up Fund for research and development. It can do this under existing law, but only if the research and development is related to the causes and effects of oil spills "on the marine environment." The bill also strikes the words "on the marine environment," thereby allowing the funds to be used for research related to the impact of inland oil spills.

The bill amends the law governing the siting of underground oil storage facilities to clarify that the owner of an abandoned underground oil facility may not make use of the statutory exemption allowing expansion of existing facilities within 1,000 feet of a public drinking water supply or 300 feet of a private drinking water supply.

The bill streamlines the manufacturer reporting requirements under the law governing recycling of televisions and computer monitors, and allows sales figures reported to the Department of Environmental Protection by electronics manufacturers to be kept confidential.

This bill amends Public Law 2003, chapter 227, section 9 to change a statutory reference from Title 38, section 470-E to Title 38, section 470-H. Title 38, section 470-E has been repealed. The subject of Title 38, section 470-E, which addresses rulemaking related to water use standards, is now addressed by Title 38, section 470-H.