Resolve, Authorizing the Bureau of General Services within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services To Assume Ownership of the Forest City Project

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

Whereas,  Woodland Pulp LLC currently owns the dam and water storage project, known as the Forest City Project, located on the East Branch of the St. Croix River in Washington County and Aroostook County; and

Whereas,  Woodland Pulp LLC seeks to transfer to the State the Forest City Project, together with associated flowage rights, easements and related facilities; and

Whereas,  ownership of this property will allow the State to regulate the level of water in East Grand Lake to ensure recreational and habitat-related purposes; and

Whereas,  this legislation authorizes the State to accept the donation, and it is necessary to expedite this authorization to stay the proceedings related to the application to surrender the dam that is pending at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; 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. Forest City Project. Resolved: That the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services is authorized to assume ownership of that portion of a dam and water storage project known as the Forest City Project, together with associated flowage rights, easements and related facilities, located on the East Branch of the St. Croix River in Washington County and Aroostook County, from Woodland Pulp LLC. The authorization under this section is limited to that portion of the Forest City Project that is located within the territorial limits of the United States; and be it further

Sec. 2. Project management. Resolved: That the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall oversee the management of the Forest City Project acquired under section 1.

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

summary

This resolve authorizes the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services to assume ownership of the dam and water storage project known as the Forest City Project and requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to oversee the management of the Forest City Project.