Take Action: Protect Maine’s Waters from Stormwater Pollution

Action Alert: Protect Maine’s Waters from Stormwater Pollution

Not everyone knows that stormwater is one of the biggest threats to Maine’s waters—but you can help change that. Now is the time to act!

A bill to address unregulated stormwater pollution—LD 646—will soon have a public hearing at the Maine Legislature on March 3. Your voice can help protect Maine’s waters!

How to Take Action:
📢 Submit written testimony
📢 Testify live (via Zoom or in person) at the hearing on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m.

The Problem: Stormwater Pollution is a Growing Threat
Every rainfall washes pollutants—which may include bacteria, pesticides, toxic chemicals, and excess nutrients—into Maine’s waters. This pollution can:

❌ Close clam flats and beaches, harming fisheries and tourism

❌ Fuel nuisance algal blooms that smother aquatic life

❌ Threaten the health of people who swim, fish, or work on the water

❌ Deliver toxic chemicals that can make fish unsafe to eat

The Solution: Strengthen Maine’s Stormwater Protections

Maine’s stormwater regulations haven’t kept pace with increasing development and stronger storms. LD 646 – Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Study Unregulated Storm Water Pollution would:

✔ Establish a study commission to identify gaps in Maine’s stormwater rules

✔ Develop smart, science-backed solutions to prevent pollution

✔ Lay the groundwork for stronger protections for our waters, fisheries, and communities

Make Your Voice Heard!

Personal stories are powerful. Whether you’re a clammer, surfer, cold dipper, aquaculture farmer, or beachgoer, legislators need to hear how stormwater pollution affects you.

FAQ

🔹 What does LD 646 do?
It creates a legislative study commission to assess Maine’s stormwater challenges and recommend solutions.

🔹 Why is stormwater pollution such a big deal?
It’s Maine’s largest unregulated pollution source, carrying bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides, PFAS, and toxic chemicals into our waters.

🔹 Why study the issue instead of taking immediate action?
Maine’s current stormwater rules are not enough. This study will recommend actions that can be taken soon to better address stormwater.

🔹 What can I do?
Visit our Action Hub to learn how to submit testimony or testify live (on Zoom or in person).

Action Hub

Talking Points for Your Testimony

Make It Personal: Tell legislators how stormwater pollution affects your life.
Fishing, Aquaculture, and Seafood: Water quality closures threaten clammers, fishermen, and aquaculture farmers—putting Maine’s iconic seafood at risk.
Recreation and Public Health: Bacteria and pollution make waters unsafe for swimmers, surfers, and beachgoers.
Protect Maine’s Economy: Stormwater pollution shuts down fisheries, hurts tourism, and lowers property values. Clean water is essential for Maine’s coastal economy.
A Cost-Effective Solution: Preventing pollution is cheaper and easier than restoring damaged waters. LD 646 is a smart first step to protecting Maine’s waters and communities.

How to Submit Your Testimony

Click on the options below to read instructions on how to submit testimony via a written letter, Zoom, or in person. You can also watch our How to Submit Testimony video

Submit Written Testimony

Write your letter to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
Go to the Testimony Submission page.
Select “Public Hearing” and choose the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Select the hearing date: Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Select the bill: LD 646 – Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Study Unregulated Storm Water Pollution
Upload or type your testimony letter directly into the form.
Enter your contact information into the form.
Hit Submit
Celebrate!! You just acted for clean water!

Testify Live On Zoom

Write your message to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
Go to the Testimony Submission page.
Select “Public Hearing” and choose the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Select the hearing date: Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Select the bill: LD 646 – Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Study Unregulated Storm Water Pollution
Check the box for electronic testimony if attending via Zoom.
Optional: Upload or type your testimony letter directly into the form.
Enter your contact information into the form.
Hit Submit
On Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. log onto the Zoom emailed to you by the legislature.
Celebrate!! You just acted for clean water!

Testify Live In Person

Write your message to the legislature (See the Talking Points or Sample Testimony for ideas)
Go to the Testimony Submission page.
Select “Public Hearing” and choose the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Select the hearing date: Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Select the bill: LD 646 – Resolve, Establishing the Commission to Study Unregulated Storm Water Pollution
Do NOT enter your testimony into the form.
Enter your contact information into the form.
Hit Submit
Bring 20 printed copies of your testimony to the State House.
On Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. go to the Burton M. Cross Office Building (The “Cross Building”), 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, Maine 04330, Room 216.
Hand in your 20 copies of testimony.
When it is your turn, speak from your notes and from your heart!
Celebrate!! You just acted for clean water!

Directions, Parking, & Bike Info:

The Environment and Natural Resources public hearings take place in the Burton M. Cross Office Building (Cross Building), 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, Maine 04330, Room 216.
Free public parking is available in front of the Cross Building. Observe any parking restriction signs.
Disability Parking spaces are located between the State House and the Cross Office Building.

Watch Our "How to Submit Testimony" Video

Sample Testimony

Here’s a sample of written testimony you can use to inspire your own:

Example Testimony in Support of LD 646

Dear Members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee,

My name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your Town]. I am writing to express my strong support for LD 646 because Maine’s waters—and the communities that rely on them—are at risk from stormwater pollution.

As a [your connection to the issue—e.g., clammer, fisherman, swimmer, aquaculture farmer, coastal resident], I see firsthand how stormwater runoff impacts our waters. Every time it rains, pollution washes off roads, parking lots, and other hard surfaces, carrying any pollution on those surfaces which may include bacteria, chemicals, and excess nutrients into our rivers, bays, and coastal waters. This pollution isn’t just an environmental issue—it affects our way of life, our economy, and our health.

For those of us who depend on clean water for our livelihoods, the stakes are high. When clam flats close due to bacteria contamination, harvesters lose critical income. When algal blooms smother clam flats, they threaten marine life and disrupt fisheries. And when chemicals such as PFAS flush into our waters, they can make our food unsafe to eat and harm aquatic life.

LD 646 is a critical step toward better stormwater management. By creating a study commission, Maine can develop informed, effective strategies to prevent stormwater pollution before it does more harm. Addressing this issue now will save money in the long run—preventing pollution is far more cost-effective than trying to restore damaged waters.

I urge you to support LD 646 and take action to protect Maine’s waters for future generations. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]