CHAPTER 409

S.P. 496 - L.D. 1450

An Act To Amend Water Quality Standards

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, there are significant and long-standing water quality issues, including recurring algae blooms, associated with certain Class C waters; and

Whereas, the mitigation of water quality impairments on certain Class C waters requires extraordinary limitations on the discharge of certain pollutants, including phosphorus, that will reasonably necessitate longer than usual time frames for implementation; and

Whereas, there are presently expired wastewater discharge licenses for discharges to these waters that permit excessive pollutant discharges to certain Class C waters; and

Whereas, it is necessary promptly to address such expired wastewater discharge licenses in order to begin mitigation and provide for improvement in water quality; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: