LD 1626, Resolve, Authorizing the State to Assume Ownership of the Forest City Dam

This bill provides that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may assume ownership of the dam and water storage project known as the Forest City Project, together with associated flowage rights, from Woodland Pulp LLC if certain contingencies are met. The contingencies that must be satisfied before the department is authorized to assume ownership of the Forest City Project are that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must determine that, once ownership is transferred, the State will not be subject to a licensing requirement by that commission and that the State must enter into an agreement with Woodland Pulp LLC that provides that Woodland Pulp LLC and its successors will maintain and operate the Forest City Project, at the direction of the State and with certain limited exceptions, for a period of 15 years from the date of the transfer at no cost to the State. 

MTA Position: Supports