38 §419-A. Prohibition on the use of tributyltin as an antifouling agent
Title 38: WATERS AND NAVIGATION
Chapter 3: PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATERS
Subchapter 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOARD
Article 2: POLLUTION CONTROL
§419-A. Prohibition on the use of tributyltin as an antifouling agent
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. [MRSA T. 38, §419-A, sub-§1, ¶ A (RP).]
A-1. "Acceptable release rate" means a measured release rate equal to or less than 4.0 micrograms per square centimeter per day at steady state conditions determined in accordance with federal Environmental Protection Agency testing procedures on tributyltin in antifouling paints under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. [1993, c. 15, §1 (AMD); 1993, c. 15, §2 (AFF).]
B. "Antifouling paint" means a compound, coating, paint or treatment applied or used for the purpose of controlling freshwater or marine fouling organisms on vessels. [1987, c. 769, Pt. B, §8 (AMD).]
C. "Commercial boatyard" means:
(1) A facility that engages for hire in the construction, storage, maintenance, repair or refurbishing of vessels; or
(2) An independent marine maintenance contractor who engages in any of the activities listed in subparagraph (1). [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
D. "Trap dip" means a liquid antifouling agent or preservative with which wooden lobster traps are treated. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
E. "Tributyltin compound" means any organotin compound that has 3 normal butyl groups attached to a tin atom, with or without an anion, such as chloride, fluoride or oxide. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
F. "Vessel" means a watercraft or other conveyance used as a means of transportation on water, whether self-propelled or otherwise. This definition includes barges and tugs. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
[ 1993, c. 15, §1 (AMD); 1993, c. 15, §2 (AFF) .]
2. Prohibition on use. Prohibition on use includes the following.
A. Except as provided in subsection 3, a person may not distribute, possess, sell, offer for sale, apply or offer for application any antifouling paint or trap dip containing a tributyltin compound. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
B. No person may distribute, possess, sell, offer for sale, apply or offer for application any substance that contains a tributyltin compound in concentrated form that is labeled for mixing with paint or solvents to produce an antifouling paint for use on vessels, wooden lobster traps, fishing gear for marine waters, floats, moorings or piers. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
C. The Board of Pesticides Control is the enforcement agency for this section. The Board of Pesticides Control shall make available a list of paints with acceptable tributyltin release rates by January 1, 1988. [1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §36 (AMD).]
D. This section shall take effect on January 1, 1988. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
[ 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §36 (AMD) .]
3. Exceptions. Exceptions to the prohibition are as follows.
A. A person may distribute or sell an antifouling paint containing a tributyltin compound with an acceptable release rate to the owner or agent of a commercial boatyard. The owner or agent of a commercial boatyard may purchase, possess and apply an antifouling paint containing tributyltin compounds with an acceptable release rate, if the antifouling paint is applied only within a commercial boatyard and is applied only to vessels exceeding 25 meters in length or that have aluminum hulls. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
B. This section does not prohibit the sale, application or possession of an antifouling paint containing a tributyltin compound, if the antifouling paint is in a spray can of 16 ounces or less, is commonly referred to as an outboard or lower drive unit paint and has an acceptable release rate. [1987, c. 474, (NEW).]
[ 1987, c. 474, (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1987, c. 474, (NEW). 1987, c. 769, §B8 (AMD). 1989, c. 763, §§1,2 (AMD). 1989, c. 890, §§A40,B36 (AMD). 1993, c. 15, §1 (AMD). 1993, c. 15, §2 (AFF).