Water quality policy update

The Clean Water Legacy Accountability Act (CWLAA) is designed to require that the states new watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) adequately identify pollution sources, and include specific pollution reduction goals, cost estimates, and timelines for successful implementation. These changes will help ensure that state and local governments can work together collaboratively to help our lakes and streams meet basic standards.

The bill also addresses two critical clean water needs for our state.

• A statewide nonpoint priority funding plan: Beginning July 1, 2014, and every other year thereafter, the state will prepare and post priority nonpoint restoration and protection actions that take into account water quality outcomes; cost-effectiveness; landowner financial need; and leverage of non-state funding sources. This is a important step forward for our state, and will help ensure that our limited amendment dollars are used for the most cost-effective projects possible.
• Stream buffer funding reform: the bill changes funding and reporting requirements for some shoreline protection projects, limiting the use of clean water funds for lands already required to have a 50-foot protective buffer in place. This reform makes sure we avoid overspending on already-protected shoreland areas, while requiring transparency in how our states shoreline protection funds are being used across the state.

The Senate version of the bill (SF 1192) is authored by Senator John Hoffman, and co-authored by Senators Dziedzic, Marty, Dibble, and Eaton. The bill was introduced on March 7th, and recently passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. It is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.

The House Version of the bill (HF 1122) is authored by Representative John Persell, with Representatives Hansen, Falk, Kahn and Wagenius as co-authors. The bill was introduced on March 4th and passed the Environment & Natural Resources Policy Committee. The bill has since been incorporated into the Omnibus Legacy Finance Bill (HF1183) and will next be heard by the House Ways and Means Committee.

FMR and our partners remain very grateful for the leadership of Senator John Hoffman and Representative John Persell on this bill. Their hard work and dedication to a collaborative process has been essential to our progress thus far. These authors are committed to working with our state agencies, local governments, water quality and recreation organizations, and all water quality stakeholders to guarantee the successful passage of these bills.

By making modest yet meaningful reforms to our state clean up plans and funding priorities, we can help make sure that our state honors the promise of the Clean Water Legacy Amendment by protecting and restoring our water resources for generations to come.

For more information about this bill, please contact Trevor Russell, FMRs Watershed Program Director, at trussell@fmr.org or visit mepartnership.org.