Resolve, Regarding Source Water Protection Recommendations

Sec. 1. Public process established. Resolved: That the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, shall establish and implement a process to allow public comment on the recommendations regarding source water protection described in a report dated February 2006 that was submitted by the Drinking Water Program to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 29; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, shall submit a report as provided in this section to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters by February 1, 2007. The report must include subsequent recommendations after consideration of the public comments received pursuant to the process established in section 1, take into account coordination between water quantity and water quality and include any draft legislation necessary to implement the recommendations; and be it further

Sec. 3. Legislation. Resolved: That after receipt and review of the report submitted pursuant to section 2 the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters may report out legislation regarding the recommendations to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 29. It directs the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, to establish a process to allow public comment on recommendations described in a report dated February 2006 and submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 29. The bill also directs the program to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters that includes subsequent recommendations, takes into account coordination between water quantity and water quality and includes any necessary draft legislation. The resolve also provides the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters the authority to report out legislation regarding the recommendations to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.