Resolve, To Study Flood Control and Water Storage

Sec. 1. Study of flood control and water storage. Resolved: That the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency, referred to in this resolve as "the agencies," shall undertake a study of current state and federal laws regarding flood control and water storage by hydropower facilities, water level regimes of regulated storage reservoirs, the impact of those laws and regimes on flood control and any other consideration the agencies determine to be necessary to effectuate the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study is to identify ways to reduce the threat of flooding in the State. In conducting the study, the agencies shall invite the participation of interested stakeholders, including, but not limited to, representatives of hydropower facilities, environmental groups and municipal officials. By January 15, 2008, the agencies shall submit a report related to the study under this section, along with any necessary implementing legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. The Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature; and be it further

Sec. 2. Review of criteria for water level modification. Resolved: That the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency shall review and submit a report on the criteria and procedures by which the water levels of dams and flood control structures in the State are modified in emergency circumstances and the procedures for notifying downstream properties of those water level modifications. The report must include an assessment of the effectiveness of those procedures in connection with the major rain events that occurred in May 2006 and April 2007. The report must be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources by January 15, 2008.