Sec. A-1. 5 MRSA �3331, sub-�2, ��E and F, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 721, Pt. C, �1 and affected by Pt. H, �1, are amended to read:
E. Study specific land and water resources management issues and problems of state-level significance in order to develop sound, coordinated policies; and
F. Seek cooperation from federal agencies with responsibilities for land and water resources management to ensure that their programs and projects serve the best interests of the State.; and
Sec. A-2. 5 MRSA �3331, sub-�2, �G is enacted to read:
G. Administer the Lakes Heritage Trust Fund established in subsection 6.
Sec. A-3. 5 MRSA �3331, sub-��6 and 7 are enacted to read:
6. Lakes Heritage Trust Fund. The Lakes Heritage Trust Fund is established in the Executive Department for the purpose of protecting, preserving and enhancing the quality and value of the State's lakes and great ponds. By majority vote of all members, the council may accept monetary contributions to the fund from any public or private source and may spend or disburse those funds in a manner consistent with law for the purposes stated in this subsection. The council shall include an accounting of all donations to and expenditures from the Lakes Heritage Trust Fund in its annual report to the Legislature under subsection 4.
7. Watershed protection. The council may create, implement and administer a comprehensive watershed protection program in order to ensure the development and implementation of locally supported watershed management plans. In implementing the program, the council shall coordinate the activities of the agencies involved in watershed management to:
A. Develop and implement strategies designed to protect the State's surface waters from nonpoint source pollution;
B. Conduct scientific research and water quality surveys to establish baseline information about the condition of the State's surface waters and the relative risk to surface waters from nonpoint sources of pollution;
C. Implement regulatory and nonregulatory approaches to watershed protection, including public education and technical assistance;
D. Coordinate activities with local governments, other state agencies, federal agencies and other organizations that are involved in activities aimed at controlling nonpoint source pollution; and
E. Establish priorities for the purpose of directing resources to the management of water bodies based on an assessment of their value, the degree of threat or impairment to water quality and aquatic habitat due to nonpoint source pollution, the likelihood of meeting watershed management objectives and the degree of public support in the watershed for watershed management.
Sec. A-4. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue to carry out the purposes of this Part.
1997-98 1998-99
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
State Planning Office
All Other $500 $500
Allocates funds to authorize expenditures from the Lakes Heritage Trust Fund.
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