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MaineLD 2187132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)Senate

An Act to Update Certain Water Quality Standards and to Reclassify Certain Waters of the State

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

WATER QUALITYWATER QUALITY - CLASSIFICATIONS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Oxygen protections for Maine fish habitats

Class B waters must average at least 7 parts per million dissolved oxygen and 75% saturation daily. No individual oxygen reading may fall below 6 parts per million. In identified spawning areas, stricter Class B limits apply from October 1 through May 14. The 7-day mean must reach 9.5 parts per million, and the one-day minimum must reach 8.0. Class C waters must meet oxygen levels of at least 5 parts per million and 60% saturation. Additional Class C oxygen rules cover identified salmonid spawning areas and 30-day averages tied to prior licenses or new permits. The law provides rules for identifying spawning areas and updates seasonal E. coli standards for both classes. Both classes require a pH of 6.5–9.0, subject to the exception in 38 MRS §464(4)(C).

Updated protections for Maine freshwater life

Class AA, A, and GPA waters must support naturally occurring aquatic life, except for state-approved fish stocking and management. Class AA E. coli limits are a geometric mean of 64 CFU or MPN per 100 milliliters over 90 days. No more than 10% of samples may exceed 236 per 100 milliliters in any 90-day period. Class A and GPA waters must have a pH of 6.5–9.0, subject to the exception in 38 MRS §464(4)(C). The law also updates oxygen and E. coli standards, including seasonal protections for Class A spawning areas. Class GPA waters must maintain stable or decreasing nutrient enrichment, measured through chlorophyll a, water clarity, phosphorus, and other criteria.

Updated protections for named Maine streams

Abbott Brook and its tributaries are Class AA, with the designation no longer limited to Lincoln Plantation. Mount Blue Stream and its tributaries move from Class A to Class AA. The Pleasant River’s Middle Branch and its tributaries are also Class AA. Tributaries entering between Avon Valley Road and Mount Blue Pond Road, west of Route 4 in Avon, are Class A. Temple Stream and all its tributaries above its junction with Edes Brook are Class A. All Drury Pond tributaries and the stream connecting Drury Pond to Temple Stream are Class A. The law also realigns tributary classifications in the Sandy River system and designates the Sebasticook River’s East Branch as Class C. Olamon Stream and its tributaries above the Horseback Road bridge are Class A.

Updated standards for Maine coastal waters

Class SB and SC waters must have a pH of 7.0–8.5, subject to the exception in 38 MRS §464(4)(C). Class SB dissolved oxygen must be at least 85% saturation; the law also updates Class SC oxygen requirements. Both classes have enterococcus bacteria limits and shellfish-related standards aligned with federal shellfish sanitation guidelines. Class SC waters must support recreation, fishing, aquaculture, shellfish propagation, and restricted shellfish harvesting. They must also support industrial process and cooling water supplies, hydroelectric power, navigation, and habitat for marine and estuary life.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 119 • No: 56

House vote • 3/25/2026

ACC MAJ OUGHT TO PASS REP

Yes: 106 • No: 34

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

ACCEPT MINORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 13 • No: 22

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 616

    4/3/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/30/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/26/2026House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative DOUDERA of Camden, the Majority Ought to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 673(Yeas 106 - Nays 34 - Absent 9 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/25/2026House

  5. Reports READ. Motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc to ACCEPT The Minority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-569) Report FAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 786 Yeas 13 - Nays 22 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Subsequently, The Majority Ought to Pass Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED. Sent down for concurrence.

    3/24/2026Senate

  6. Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCESIn concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/10/2026House

  7. Reported that the same be REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 464, subsection 3, paragraph B.Report READ and ACCEPTED.Bill and accompanying papers REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.Sent down for concurrence.

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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