An Act To Prohibit the Operation of Large Commercial Vessels in the Waters of Southern Mount Desert Island
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §286 is enacted to read:
§ 286. Operation of commercial vessels; southern Mount Desert Island
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Commercial vessel" means any type of watercraft used exclusively in a business or trade.
B. "Waters of southern Mount Desert Island" means the No Discharge Area for Southern Mount Desert Island designated in Maine Marine Sanitation Device Standard--Notice of Determination, 74 Federal Register, 34,340 (2009).
2. Prohibition. A person may not operate, moor or anchor in the waters of southern Mount Desert Island a commercial vessel greater than 200 feet in length or that has the capacity to carry more than 100 passengers.
3. Vessels exempt. The following vessels are exempt from subsection 2:
A. Vessels operated for the purpose of scientific research;
B. Vessels owned and operated by a municipality;
C. Vessels owned and operated by the State Government; and
D. Vessels owned and operated by the Federal Government.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits the operation, mooring or anchoring of commercial vessels over 200 feet in length or with the capacity to carry more than 100 passengers in the waters of southern Mount Desert Island.