§550-B. Water well information

1.  Definitions.  As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Well" means any hole constructed by any method for the purpose of extracting water from below the ground.   [PL 1987, c. 509 (NEW).]

B.   [PL 2003, c. 175, §1 (RP).]

C. "Well drilling company" means a person, firm, partnership or corporation that owns or otherwise operates any mechanical equipment used to drill, drive or bore water wells.   [PL 2003, c. 175, §2 (NEW).]

[PL 2003, c. 175, §§1, 2 (AMD).]

2.  Exemptions.  Wells for which data reports are already required by any state agency are exempt from the reporting requirements of this chapter.

[PL 1987, c. 509 (NEW).]

3.  Water well information documentation.  Completion reports shall be filed according to this subsection.

A. Within 30 days after completion of any well or dry hole, or the enlarging or deepening of an existing well, a well drilling company shall submit a report to the Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources on forms designed and provided by the Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources. The report must contain information as may be required by the Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, including, but not limited to, location, construction and well yield.   [PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).]

B. Any well drilling company that has engaged in the construction of water wells, but who has not submitted well completion reports on a timely basis as required by this chapter, is in violation of this chapter.   [PL 2003, c. 175, §4 (AMD).]

[PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).]

4.  Compliance with other laws and rules.  Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this chapter, all wells are to be constructed and maintained in accordance with all other laws and rules in effect.

[PL 1987, c. 509 (NEW).]

5.  Penalties.  A well drilling company that violates any standard or provision of this chapter, commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $500 may be adjudged. In addition to other civil remedies, the court may issue an injunction.

[PL 2003, c. 175, §5 (AMD).]

6.  Information use.  Information collected by the Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine Geological Survey under this section is subject to Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1, unless the well drilling company to whom the information belongs or pertains requests that it be designated as confidential and the bureau has determined it contains proprietary information. For the purposes of this subsection, "proprietary information" means information that is a trade secret or production, commercial or financial information the disclosure of which would impair the competitive position of the person submitting the information and would make available information not otherwise publicly available. The Division of Geology, Natural Areas and Coastal Resources, Maine Geological Survey shall make information collected under this chapter available to any federal, state or municipal entity or authorized agent of such entity.

[PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. C, §7 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1987, c. 509 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 502, §E32 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 556, §§16,17 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 175, §§1-5 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 567, §6 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, §§8, 9 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, §34 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. C, §§6, 7 (AMD).