An Act Regarding the Department of Transportation's Use of Sediment Erosion Control Systems

Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §709  is enacted to read:

§ 709.  Sediment erosion control

For any Department of Transportation project that involves the use of a sediment erosion control system, the department must specify either a biodegradable or nonbiodegradable sediment erosion control system. If a nonbiodegradable sediment erosion control system is used in a department project, the sediment erosion control system must be removed within 90 days of the project's completion.

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "biodegradable" means a substance that can be broken down physically or chemically by microorganisms.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Transportation to specify whether a biodegradable or nonbiodegradable sediment erosion control system will be used for a project by the department and requires that nonbiodegradable sediment erosion control systems be removed with 90 days of a project's completion.