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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §480-Q, sub-§21, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 148, §1, is amended to read:
 
21. Removal of beaver dams.  RemovalAs authorized by a game warden, the removal of a beaver dam as authorized by a game wardenor the alteration of a beaver dam to allow the passage of anadromous fish, as long as:
 
A.  Efforts are made to minimize erosion of soil and fill material from disturbed areas into a protected natural resource;
 
B.  Efforts are made to minimize alteration of undisturbed portions of a wetland or water body; and
 
C.  Wheeled or tracked equipment is operated in the water only for the purpose of crossing a water body to facilitate removal or alteration of the beaver dam. Where practicable, wheeled or tracked equipment may cross a water body only on a rock, gravel or ledge bottom.
 
This exemption includes the draining of a freshwater wetland resulting from removal or alteration of a beaver dam. It does not include removal of a beaver house.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment is the minority report and replaces the bill. Currently, a person may remove a beaver dam with the authorization of a game warden and as long as certain conditions are met. This amendment provides that a person may also alter a beaver dam to allow the passage of anadromous fish with the authorization of a game warden.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)