An Act To Assist Towns in Eradicating Milfoil and Other Invasive Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species

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

Whereas,  invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species such as milfoil pose a substantial threat to the environment and economy of the State; and

Whereas,  effective removal and control of infestations of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species can be achieved only through adequately funded programs; and

Whereas,  the infestation of Maine's lakes by invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species is worsening, and the funding needs of municipalities and other entities working to combat these issues must be addressed immediately; 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,

Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF

Land and Water Quality 0248

Initiative: Provides funding in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 to the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund to supplement existing funds used for the inspection of watercraft and for the containment and eradication of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species.

GENERAL FUND	2014-15	2015-16
	$900,000	$900,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$900,000	$900,000

INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, DEPARTMENT OF

Enforcement Operations - IF&W 0537

Initiative: Provides funding in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 to the Lake and River Protection Fund to supplement existing funds used for the inspection of watercraft, the eradication and management of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species and the production and distribution of lake and river protection stickers.

GENERAL FUND	2014-15	2015-16
	$225,000	$225,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$225,000	$225,000

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill provides funding in fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16 in the amount of $225,000 for the Lake and River Protection Fund within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and in the amount of $900,000 for the Invasive Aquatic Plant and Nuisance Species Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection. These General Fund distributions are intended to correspond to the annual average funds deposited into each of these accounts representing fees collected on motorboat and personal watercraft lake and river protection stickers issued pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 13058, subsection 3. Pursuant to statute, these funds are used by each department to engage in activities relating to the containment, eradication and management of the spread of invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species in Maine, to assist municipalities and other entities in accomplishing these goals and to aid in the enforcement of laws and rules pertaining to invasive aquatic plants and nuisance species.