Maine Governor Ceremonially Signs Coastal Water Protection Bills

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June 29, 2007 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today conducted a ceremonial signing of LD 403, “An Act To Encourage Municipalities To Abate Coastal Pollution," and 1318, “Resolve, To Conduct an Independent Review of the Department of Marine Resources, Public Health Division." These emergency bills together will go a long way toward improving Maine’s valuable shellfish industry.

“LD 403 provides an incentive for coastal municipalities to abate sources of pollution that may exist within their borders,” said Governor Baldacci. “This bill is a product of extensive work between the Maine Department of Marine Resources, several towns and other stakeholders.”

Using that process of collaborating with stakeholders, the department will establish regulations which will improve the ability of towns and their shellfish committees to take a clear role in improving the water quality in areas that have been downgraded.

The resolve, LD 1318, calls for an evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Public Health Division under the Department of Marine Resources.

The water quality experts at the Public Health Division evaluate about 12,000 water quality samples a year. These samples are taken from approximately 1,600 sites, 6 times a year at a minimum. The resolve directs the Department of Marine Resources to work with members of the shellfish harvesting industry to determine the need and feasibility of a shellfish advisory council.

The resulting recommendations will be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources by Jan. 15, 2008.

“This will go a long way to ensure we have the best quality testing and procedures in place and continue to build a collaborative relationship between the state and shellfish harvesters,” said Governor Baldacci.

Source: Maine Governor