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34-613: The Passamaquoddy also reside on the Pleasant Point Reservation . According to the United States Census Bureau , the Indian Township reservation has a total area of 112.5 km (43.4 sq mi). 97.0 km (37.5 sq mi) of it is land and 15.5 km (6.0 sq mi) of it (13.77%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 676 people, 232 households, and 164 families residing in

68-661: A desire to understand exactly what is in the water, to have more routine testing of the PWD system take place at Sipayik as opposed to the neighboring towns of Perry or Eastport, and to establish institutional partnerships to study the health impacts of the PWD water. As of late September 2020, the stakeholder group had held three meetings during which the State of Maine acknowledged an ongoing public health crisis at Sipayik and pledged to aid in solutions. A state grant program has been announced to address imminent public health threats, and PWD will use

102-549: A hand-pumped well from which people in need of clean drinking water can fill storage jugs in the fall of 2020. In November 2019, the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Pleasant Point received a $ 30,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for water studies and testing, community outreach, reporting and action plan development. The EPA has recommended testing in a wider variety of

136-491: A household was an estimated $ 26,429. 35.1% of families and 43.6% of the population had incomes below the poverty line , including 58.3% of those under age 18 and 28.8% of those age 65 or over. Sipayik's municipal water is provided by the Passamaquoddy Water District (PWD). Despite incorporating the tribe in its name, PWD is not tribally affiliated; it is a state-chartered quasi-municipal corporation created by

170-485: A vote of two-thirds in each house, may override the veto. The legislature also has the power to propose constitutional amendments by a vote of two-thirds in each house; the proposal must be approved by a majority of voters in a referendum in order to be passed. Unlike other states, the legislature is responsible for electing the attorney general , state treasurer , and secretary of state . Most states give this responsibility to gubernatorial appointments, or an election by

204-407: Is frequently discolored and odorous, and runs black, brown and green when weather events or routine maintenance procedures cause excess turbidity in the reservoir. Though most Sipayik residents do not drink the PWD tap water, it is commonly used for other needs such as bathing and household cleaning. Because THMs vaporize at room temperature and can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin, it

238-480: Is likely that even the Sipayik residents who avoid drinking the tap water are still subject to chronic THM exposure. The ability of the Passamaquoddy Tribe to implement solutions to the PWD water crisis is limited because Maine does not grant tribes the ability to regulate and permit water resources independent of the state. A bill was introduced to the 129th Maine legislature to amend Maine's tribal sovereignty law, but

272-581: Is often broadly interpreted. The governor of Maine may also call the legislature into a special session for "extraordinary occasions." The Governor and the Senate President may also call the Senate into session to confirm gubernatorial appointments. As the legislative branch of the Maine state government, the legislature has the power to make laws, subject to a veto by the governor . The legislature, however, by

306-704: Is one of two reservations of the federally recognized Passamaquoddy tribe in Washington County, Maine , United States . The population was 692 as of the 2020 census . The Passamaquoddy also reside on the Indian Township Reservation . Sipayik is located near the Canada–United States border in Washington County, Maine on a peninsula with the Little River and Passamaquoddy Bay to

340-674: Is only 10–11 feet deep at its deepest point. Since it is a shallow, surface-water source, the water contains high amounts of organic matter that are exacerbated by weather events and routine system maintenance procedures. When chlorine is used to treat water containing organic matter, the disinfection by-product trihalomethane (THM) forms. Acute exposure to large doses of THMs can cause liver damage and central nervous system depression in humans, and laboratory animal studies of chronic low-dose exposure suggest that THMs may be carcinogenic. PWD water testing has revealed high levels of THM since testing for disinfection by-products began following

374-537: Is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine . It is a bicameral body composed of the lower house Maine House of Representatives and the upper house Maine Senate . The legislature convenes at the State House in Augusta , where it has met since 1832. The House of Representatives consists of 151 members, each chosen from single-member constituencies. The House is uniquely the only state legislative body in

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408-624: The Maine Legislature in an emergency act in 1983. PWD is governed by an independent board of trustees and an executive director , and serves slightly over 600 households in Perry, Eastport and Sipayik, Maine. The PWD is responsible for infrastructure at the water source, a water tower at Sipayik, and facilities in Eastport. PWD water comes from the Boyden Reservoir in Perry, a shallow body that

442-647: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1974. Between 1977 and 1981, THM levels in PWD water were three to four times the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). Levels exceeding the MCL were recorded again in 2005 and 2017, and in both 2018 and 2019 THM concentrations were above the MCL for three out of the four quarters of the year. Boyden Reservoir's water level continues to decrease, causing

476-684: The House and then in the Senate. In 1823, the Penobscot tribe sent what is believed to be their first representative to the Maine Senate . In 1842, the Passamaquoddy tribe also sent their first representative. It appears that prior to Maine's statehood, Massachusetts allowed the tribes to send in representatives. It is not known what role the representatives played in the legislature until 1907, when records started being kept, and included documentation of where

510-484: The Indian reservation. The population density was 18.1/sq mi (7.0/km). There were 261 housing units at an average density of 7.0 units per square mile (2.7 units/km). The racial makeup of the Indian reservation was 11.54% White , 83.43% Native American , and 5.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population. There were 232 households, out of which 48.3% had children under

544-452: The PWD's service area and is helping to institute more regular testing of the water. In early 2020, Passamaquoddy leaders assembled a group of stakeholders in the water crisis to began developing short-, middle- and long-term solutions and to increase water testing at Sipayik. The group includes tribal leaders, PWD leaders, state water officials, EPA Region 1 representatives, and individuals from other municipalities. Tribal leaders expressed

578-465: The Passamaquoddy Tribe drilled a well on a parcel of their land in Perry, Maine. After initial testing of the well negatively impacted other wells in the area, the town of Perry passed an ordinance limiting activity on the new well, and the project was halted. In 2020, state regulations also prevented the tribe from independently testing and permitting a well for the new Sipayik Elementary School. The Passamaquoddy Tribe successfully obtained permits and dug

612-605: The Passamaquoddy tribe have returned to the legislature, while the Maliseets have departed and the Penobscot have yet to return. To be a member of the legislature, one must be at least 21 years of age, have to have been a citizen of the US for five years, have been a resident of Maine for one year, and for the 3 months next preceding the time of this person's election shall have been and during

646-680: The President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Republican and Democratic Floor Leaders for both the Senate and House of Representatives and their Assistant Floor Leaders. A Legislative Budget Subcommittee, which is a subcommittee of the Legislative Council, reviews the proposed legislative budget and sends its recommendations to the Council for approval. Unlike other state legislatures (save for

680-711: The U.S. to set aside special seats for American Indians , where there are three non-voting Representatives from the Penobscot Nation , the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Houlton Band of Maliseets . The Senate currently has 35 members, though under the Maine Constitution there may be 31, 33, or 35. In 1922, Dora Pinkham became the first woman elected to the Maine State Legislature, serving first in

714-400: The age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 23.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.40. In the Indian reservation the population

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748-531: The chamber hall with seating and speaking privileges. In 1996, tribe representatives tried to co-sponsor a bill, and in 1999 the tribes were formally allowed to co-sponsor bills. On 2001, this rule change allowed for Donna Loring to push for a bill, "An Act to Require Teaching Maine Native American History and Culture in Maine’s Schools" to require all public and private schools in the state to teach about Maine history, including Native American history. This act

782-537: The east and Cobscook Bay to the west. It borders Eastport and Perry , and according to the United States Census Bureau , has a total area of 0.6 mi (1.6 km ). The ACS estimates 683 people and 258 households at Sipayik in 2019. Passamaquoddy tribal census rolls report a total of 2,005 tribal members. According to the ACS, in 2019 11.70% of residents were white; 84.04% Native American; 1.02% from other races, and 3.66% from two or more races. The median income for

816-614: The first grant for a one-year pilot project: A granular activated carbon water purification system will be installed to treat the water after the existing PWD treatment. Administration of the 2019 EPA grant, focused on feasibility studies for alternative water supplies, continues; and the tribe is waiting on state permits to install a roadside well using funding from the CARES act . 44°57′18″N 67°02′44″W  /  44.95500°N 67.04556°W  / 44.95500; -67.04556 Maine Legislature The Maine State Legislature

850-479: The legislature had not taken it up by the time it adjourned due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Also, the PWD is the only public water utility in Maine that is not tax-exempt. Due to this and its limited customer base, there has not been adequate funding for infrastructure repairs that could improve drinking water quality. Efforts to develop wells as alternatives to the PWD system and reservoir have met resistance. In 2014,

884-509: The legislature was elected for a one-year term. Starting in 1881, an amendment to the Maine Constitution took effect to provide for two-year terms, the current length. The legislature meets in two separate sessions. The first session begins the first Wednesday in December, following the general election, and continues into the following year. The second session begins the first Tuesday in January of

918-672: The levels of organic matter to rise along with the amount of chlorine needed to treat the supply. PWD's treatment facility has seen $ 14.9 million worth of upgrades since 2000, and state officials reported in August 2020 that the water test results were within federal regulatory limits. This is disputed by tribal documents. Since 2000, residents of Sipayik have received 49 public notices on water quality, 22 of which warned of unsafe levels of THM and haloacetic acids and stated that these contaminants can lead to "liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems and an increased risk of cancer.” The water

952-617: The next year, the same year as the next general election. The second session is typically short and deals with a limited number of bills per the Maine Constitution , which are budgetary matters, legislation submitted by the Governor , bills held over from the first session, citizen initiatives, and legislation deemed to be an 'emergency'. According to the Constitution, emergency legislation is supposed to be legislation for an immediate need to protect public peace, health, or safety, but that provision

986-416: The people at large. Unlike committees in most state legislatures, most standing committees in the Maine State Legislature are Joint committees with members from both the House and Senate. As of 2024, the following joint committees are in operation: The Senate and House have only a few separate committees: In addition, a Legislative Council, which manages the overall business of the legislature, comprises

1020-501: The period for which elected continue to be, a resident in the district represented. Legislative elections are held in November of every even-numbered year, during the state's general election . The terms for both houses are two years. Since 1996, members of both the House and Senate are limited to four two-year terms, a consecutive, rather than a lifetime, limit. Members who have served the limit are re-eligible after two years. Until 1880,

1054-484: The representatives sat, what they said when they spoke, and privileges that were granted. While the representatives tried to achieve a higher status in the legislature, in 1941, legislation was passed to remove the representatives from the Hall of House, meaning that they held very little power, besides the persuasive power granted by being in the capital. It was not until 1975 when the representatives were once again allowed in

Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation - Misplaced Pages Continue

1088-550: Was $ 28,654. Males had a median income of $ 21,696 versus $ 24,271 for females. The per capita income for the Indian reservation was $ 10,808. About 23.0% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 27.8% of those age 65 or over. 45°15′56″N 67°36′44″W  /  45.26556°N 67.61222°W  / 45.26556; -67.61222 Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation ( Maliseet-Passamaquoddy : Sipayik )

1122-460: Was signed by Governor Angus King in 2001. The Houlton Band of Maliseets received representation in 2012. Thus far, the Mi'kmaq Nation has not been granted representation. In 2015, the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot pulled their representatives from the legislature in protest of growing tension between the tribes and the state government, including Governor Paul LePage . As of the 2018 election , only

1156-400: Was spread out, with 40.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 14.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 107.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males. The median income for a household in the Indian reservation was $ 23,125, and the median income for a family

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