I. Authority
The Halls Pond Protection Ordinance (Ordinance) is created pursuant to Title 22 M.R.S.A. §2642 (Municipal regulation authorized) and Title 12 M.R.S.A. §13201
(Limits on local regulation).
II. Purpose
The purpose of this Ordinance is to prohibit surface uses on Halls Pond (Pond)
which may lead to contamination of the Pond, which is a public water supply.
III. Findings
a. Halls Pond is located in the Town of Paris, Maine.
b. Halls Pond is the sole water supply source for the Hebron Water Company (Water Company), which serves drinking water to approximately 400 people in the towns of Paris and Hebron, Maine. The Water Company also provides water for fire protection to Hebron Academy in Hebron.
c. Potential sources of contamination in the Pond include: 1) nitrogen and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites from bodily contact with the waters of the Pond; 2) petroleum products; and 3) solid waste disposal.
d. The most reliable way to prevent drinking water contamination is to prevent contaminants from entering the water supply in the first place.
IV. Definitions
a. Bodily contact: contact with any human body part including hands and feet
b. Ice fishing shack: A structure used as a shelter or to store materials for ice fishing
V. Applicability
The provisions in this Ordinance apply to all surface uses on Halls Pond except
essential operations of the Water Company and State agencies (including activities
of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife associated with fisheries
management), and emergency and enforcement operations conducted by official
federal, state or local entities.
VI. Administration and Enforcement
Halls Pond is delineated on a map entitled “Halls Pond Protection Ordinance, Paris Maine”. This map is kept on file with this Ordinance at the Paris Town Office. The Town of Paris Police Department enforces the provisions of this Ordinance.
VII. Relationship with Other Laws and Regulations
In any case in which a provision of this Ordinance conflicts with a provision of any other State or local law or regulation, the provision which establishes the more restrictive provision shall apply.
VIII. Validity and Severability
Should any section or provision of this Ordinance be declared by the courts to be invalid, such decision shall not invalidate any other section or provision of this Ordinance.
IX. Use Provisions
a. Bodily contact is prohibited with the waters of the Pond. b. Ice fishing shacks are prohibited on the ice and in the waters of the Pond. c. The Pond is open to hand-launch vessels only; electric motors are permitted; internal combustion motors are prohibited.
X. Effective Date
The effective date of this ordinance is: __November_4, 2008