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Integrating Public Water Supply Protection into the State of Maine's Vision
The Governor signed An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Drinking Water Program Regarding Public Water Supply Protection
Read the text of Public Law 353
The Maine State Legislature, under Resolve, Chapter 140, has asked the Drinking Water Program, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources to conduct a public process to discuss and refine recommendations for continuing to improve the safety of public water supplies.The Resolve 029 report is available on this site.
Cover Letter | Report Resolve Chapter 140 |
Appendix A | Appendix B | Appendix C | Appendix D
We have hosted a series of four meetings this fall to work through how to implement the recommendations. We have identified individuals who are resources and representatives of groups who will be affected by these recommendations. You are invited to participate in this process by reviewing and commenting on our work as we progress. We realize that there are related initiatives (In-Stream Flow Rules, Groundwater withdrawal review) underway, and view this effort as a complement to those processes. Effective water supply protection increases both water quality and quantity for all users.
The process will produce a plan for implementing the recommendations that the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee will review this coming session. Water supply protection has been identified nationally as a tool that can bring together a number of diverse interests to plan for and implement sustainable land use practices. This is an opportunity to work together to conserve farms and forests, and to guide land use and development to reduce water quality and quantity problems in the future. Protection of Maine’s water supplies can serve as a catalyst to encourage land conservation, sustainable farming and forestry practices, and development that conserves water quality and quantity.
To join our process, you can call (287-6196), e-mail (Andrews.l.tolman@maine.gov), or write us. Please come and help us realize our vision for the State.
Background materials on source protection are here
Public Water Supply Protection (Resolve 140) Meeting Schedule and Materials:
Note: the presentations are very large: please be patient.
September 14
Sptember 28
The Municipal Role in Public Water Supply Protection
The Real cost of not Protecting Public Water Supplies
October 12
Proposal for Minimum Protection
Percentage of Towns included in groundwater protection areas
October 26
Outline of Implementation Strategy
Conveners:
Maine DHHS, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Drinking Water Program
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Maine Department of Conservation, Geological Survey
Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources
Invitees:
Agencies
Department of Conservation programs (Forestry, LURC, Parks)
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Department of Transportation
Healthy Maine Communities
Land for Maine’s Future
State Planning Office
Non-Governmental Organizations
Coastal Enterprises, Inc
Congress of Lake Associations
GrowSmart Maine
Maine Aquaculture Association
Maine Association of Realtors
Maine Land Trust Alliance
Maine Farm Bureau
Maine Municipal Association
Maine Forest Products Council
Maine Pulp and Paper Association
Maine Farmland Trust
Maine Water Utilities Association
Maine Rural Water Association
Maine Real Estate & Development Associations
Maine Economic Growth Council
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardiners Association.
Maine Oil Dealers Association
Natural Resources Council of Maine
Physicians for Social Responsibility
The Nature Conservancy
York River Watershed: Protecting our Children’s Water
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LR 3168 Item 1 |
Resolve, Regarding Source Water Protection Recommendations
Sec. 1. Public process established. Resolved: That the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, shall establish and implement a process to allow public comment on the recommendations regarding source water protection described in a report dated February 2006 that was submitted by the Drinking Water Program to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 29; and be it further
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Drinking Water Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, shall submit a report as provided in this section to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters by February 1, 2007. The report must include subsequent recommendations after consideration of the public comments received pursuant to the process established in section 1, take into account coordination between water quantity and water quality and include any draft legislation necessary to implement the recommendations; and be it further
Sec. 3. Legislation. Resolved: That after receipt and review of the report submitted pursuant to section 2 the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters may report out legislation regarding the recommendations to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.
