Legislative Priorities
SP 859, LD 2141: An Act to Direct a Portion of Unclaimed Beverage Container Deposits to the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund and the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program
This bill will provide $2 million annually to the DEP’s Lake Water Quality Protection and Restoration Fund, which could support in-lake phosphorus reduction treatments, watershed surveys, technical assistance, education, stormwater infrastructure, research, and more. Funding for LD 2141 will come from unredeemed bottle deposits, estimated by the industry to be between $12-16 million each year.
There was a Public Hearing on February 4th in front of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Thank you to all who testified in person, submitted online testimony, and signed the letter! We have 1,465 signatures and over 120 people testified in support of LD 2141. Your voices made a difference in getting the bill through the committee.
Now we need your help to get the bill over the finish line. The bill will be up for a floor vote and debate any day now.
The beverage industry is out in force and lobbying hard against this bill. They currently are allowed to keep unredeemed bottle deposits to offset their own costs. This bill will protect lakes and farms while leaving substantial funds to maintain a robust recycling program – a model that already works well in other states.
Note: The original bill included $2 million in funding for the public defender’s office. The bill has been amended and all language related to funding for the public defender’s office was removed before the bill was voted out of committee.
Day of Senate Action
LD 2141 will reach the Senate floor next week and we expect an extremely close vote. Join us in Augusta to make your voice heard.
You are invited to join a team of Lake Advocates lining the halls of the State House. We will be asking senators to support LD 2141, a bill that would bring permanent, sustained funding to lake and farm protection programs.
When: Wednesday, April 8th, 9:30 to noon (stay for the whole morning or just drop in)
Where: The 3rd Floor Rotunda of the Maine State House. Look for organizers holding LD 2141 signs near the balcony.
Why: Your presence at the State House will send a clear message to legislators that their constituents want them to support LD 2141. We will help amplify your impact by locating your legislator, sharing talking points, and providing signs.
Please RSVP — let us know if you will join us at the State House
Even if you can’t make it on Wednesday, an email or phone call to your senator will still help as we expect a very close vote.
If you have already reached out to your Senator: Thank you!
- Fill out this short survey to share if your senator is supporting LD 2141 or not.
- If you forward your email to [email protected], we will deliver a hard copy directly to your legislator at the State House.
If you haven’t reached out to your Senator yet: Call or email them today and ask: Will they support LD 2141 to protect lakes and farmland when it comes up next week?
- Find your senator’s contact information here.
- Consider forwarding this excellent Op-ed in the Kennebec Journal by former brewery owner Russell Voss that makes excellent points in support of LD 2141.
- Share that many states have successful bottle redemption and recycling programs that direct some or all unredeemed deposits to environmental programs. LD 2141 will not “break” the bottle bill.
Additional Resources for Action
- LD 2141 1-Pager from the Lake Protection Coalition
- LD 2141 Factsheet from the Natural Resources Council of Maine
- Priority Bill Fact Sheet for LD 2141 – Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition
- Bill text – note that the Public Defender spending has been removed
- Bill information with links to 120+ testimonies in favor of LD 2141.
For tips on writing to legislators, visit Maine Lakes’ Advocacy page: www.lakes.me/take-action
Note: Although we are focused on lake protection, our farm colleagues and advocates are also working to build support for LD 2141. Read more about the Working Farmland Access Protection Program.
Thank you for speaking up to support lake funding.
Stay Connected
We’re building a new statewide coalition to unite advocates and strengthen coordination among those who care about and rely on our lakes, and to advance smart policies when that is not enough. Together, we can meet the challenge of this moment, protect our waters, and make our vision a reality.
Please fill out the form below if you’d like to be involved and to receive updates about the activities of the Lake Protection Coalition.