Bill > S2394

This bill aims to promote awareness of sewage pollution in public waters by requiring certain actions from wastewater permittees. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring permittees to issue public advisories within 2 hours of discovering a sewage discharge or expected discharge, providing details such as location, duration, volume, water quality, and precautionary measures. These advisories must be sent to public health authorities and posted online for the public to subscribe to. 2. Directing permittees to install signage at outfall locations and public access points, informing the public about the potential for discharges and recommended safety precautions. 3. Establishing a public website maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection to display information about current and past discharge events, allowing the public to subscribe to notifications. 4. Requiring the Department to issue annual reports summarizing discharge activity, planned projects to reduce discharges, and information about current permits. 5. Authorizing the Department to grant waivers or extended advisory timelines in certain cases, such as for outfalls that have rarely discharged in the past. The bill aims to improve public awareness and response to sewage pollution incidents in order to protect public health and the environment.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2394