An Act To Coordinate the Implementation of the In-stream Flow and Water Level Rules among the Department of Environmental Protection, the Drinking Water Program of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Utilities Commission

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §470-H,  as enacted by PL 2005, c. 330, §12, is amended to read:

§ 470-H. Water use standards; rules

The board shall adopt rules that establish water use standards for maintaining in-stream flows and GPA lake or pond water levels that are protective of aquatic life and other uses and that establish criteria for designating watersheds most at risk from cumulative water use. Standards adopted under this section must be based on the natural variation of flows and water levels, allowing variances if use will still be protective of water quality within that classification. Rules adopted under this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. A draft decision of the department under these rules that affects a community water system must be reviewed and approved by the drinking water program of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Utilities Commission before being incorporated into a final department decision.

summary

This bill provides that any requirements placed on public drinking water systems must be done in joint agreement between the Department of Environmental Protection, the drinking water program of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Utilities Commission.