Resolve, Establishing Surface Use Restrictions on Great Meadow Stream and the Northern Portion of North Bay on Great Pond

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

Whereas,  this legislation establishes surface use restrictions on certain bodies of water in order to enable effective suppression of the invasive aquatic plant variable-leaf water milfoil and to prevent the spread of this plant; and

Whereas,  this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order for these surface use restrictions to be in place for the upcoming boating season; 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

Sec. 1. Definitions. Resolved: That, as used in this resolve, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1. "Fish" has the same meaning as in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 10001, subsection 23.

2. "Great Meadow Stream and the northern portion of North Bay on Great Pond" or "restricted area" means Great Meadow Stream south of where State Route 225 crosses Great Meadow Stream in the towns of Rome and Smithfield southward into the northern portion of North Bay on Great Pond in the towns of Rome and Belgrade to a line on the water marked by buoys maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection, with assistance from the Department of Conservation, that designate the restricted area.

3. "Invasive aquatic plant" has the same meaning as in Title 38, section 410-N, subsection 1, paragraph B.

4. "Watercraft" has the same meaning as in Title 12, section 13001, subsection 28; and be it further

Sec. 2. Surface use restrictions. Resolved: That temporary surface use restrictions are established on Great Meadow Stream and the northern portion of North Bay on Great Pond in the towns of Belgrade, Rome and Smithfield. A person may not operate a watercraft in the restricted area except in the case of an emergency in which property or human safety is endangered or if the operation of a watercraft is authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection to survey for and remove invasive aquatic plants or to deploy and maintain fragment nets and buoys. A person may not fish in the restricted area; and be it further

Sec. 3. Repeal. Resolved: That this resolve is repealed January 1, 2013.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect April 1, 2012.

SUMMARY

This resolve imposes temporary surface use restrictions on Great Meadow Stream and the northern portion of North Bay on Great Pond in the towns of Belgrade, Rome and Smithfield. A person may not operate a watercraft in the restricted area except in the case of an emergency in which property or human safety is endangered or if the operation of a watercraft is authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection to survey for and remove invasive aquatic plants or to deploy and maintain fragment nets and buoys. A person may not fish in the restricted area. The restrictions begin April 1, 2012 and end January 1, 2013.