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An Act To Implement Decibel Limits for Mechanical Rockweed Harvesters
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §6001, sub-§37-C  is enacted to read:
 
37-C.  Rockweed.     "Rockweed" means the species of seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum.
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §6803-D  is enacted to read:
§ 6803-D. Rockweed harvester decibel limits
 
1.  Prohibition.     A person may not use a mechanical device to harvest rockweed that emits a sound that exceeds the decibel limit established pursuant to subsection 2.
 
2.  Rules.     The commissioner shall adopt rules that establish a decibel limit for sound emitted by a mechanical device used to harvest rockweed. The rules may establish different decibel limits based upon the distance from shore and the time of day the mechanical device is used to harvest rockweed. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits harvesting rockweed with a mechanical rockweed harvester that emits sound louder than the decibel limits established by rules adopted by the Commissioner of Marine Resources. The rules may establish different decibel limits depending upon the distance from shore and the time of day the harvester is being used. The bill defines "rockweed" as the species of seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum.