AUGUSTA - Rep. Dan Sayre, D-Kennebunk, introduced a bill Monday before the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee that would study water as a resource in Maine.
LD 1641 would form a 17-member commission to study and make recommendations regarding the role water plays in the state and report the findings to the Legislature by Dec. 15, 2023. The goals of the study include ensuring that there is clean, safe drinking water for residents, accessible water for business and commercial needs and examining drought preparedness and resilience.
"This study will help to give us a better understanding of how we should manage our water resources to meet the needs of people and the environment," said Sayre. "Making good policy decisions requires collaboration among all key stakeholders. This commission provides a seat at the table for representatives of agriculture, municipal water utilities and commercial water bottlers alongside representatives of government and the public who share a duty to protect Maines drinking water and environment."
The commission was originally established during the 130th Legislature as a result of LD 1569. LD 1641 would further continue this study.
The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Sayre is serving his first term in the Maine Legislature and represents House District 135, which includes part of Kennebunk. He serves on the Legislature's Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Sayre], c. 305-965-2744