MWWCA Position Concerning Standards for Mercury Discharge
 

BILL TITLE

An Act to Amend the Water Quality Laws of Maine to Establish a Science Based Standard for Mercury Discharges

SUMMARY

This Bill makes the following changes to the laws governing the discharge of mercury to the waters of the State:

It retains the mass based effluent limits for any legal entity who on January 1, 1971 was discharging mercury in connection with an industrial process, and on or before December 31, 1971 filed with the board a statement indicating the amount so discharged, as enacted by the Legislature, PL 1997, c. 722;

It amends the existing law governing the discharge of mercury and regulates the discharge of mercury in accordance with the levels set forth in federal water quality criteria as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Clean Water Act, section 304(a) as amended. [33 U.S.C. sec. 1314(a)]; and

It preserves the Board of Environmental Protection’s authority to regulate any toxic (including mercury) in any amount or concentration, including the complete prohibition of such substance based on sound risk assessment through its rulemaking powers.

Sponsors

Carol A. Kontos
Senate District 26

Robert Daigle 
House District 13

Technical Contact Persons
Mr. Bruce Nicholson, esq. , 
Erler, Powers & Nicholson 
100 Foden Rd. Suite 306 
South Portland, Maine 
Zip Code 04106-2327
Telephone: 207-773-3511
Fax: 207- 775-1151

Mr. Clayton "Mac" Richardson,P.E.,  
Maine Wastewater Control Association 
c/o LAWPCA, 
535 Lincoln St.
Lewiston, Maine 04240
Telephone: 207-782-0917 
Fax 207-782-9877