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Integrating Public Water Supply Protection into the State of Maine's VisionThe Governor signed An Act to Implement Recommendations of the Drinking Water Program Regarding Public Water Supply Protection
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 | 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
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.
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