Bill > LD2025

This bill establishes a new limited-purpose license for aquaculture nursery and husbandry activities and creates a process for amending aquaculture leases. The new license allows aquaculture operators to place marine organisms in early life stages at specific sites below the mean low-water mark, conduct short-term husbandry activities, and deploy marine organisms to other sites under certain conditions. Applicants must meet specific criteria, including using approved stock and gear, limiting gear to 1,600 square feet, and not interfering with navigation or other water uses. The license application requires detailed documentation, including site plans, coordinates, and notification of riparian owners and municipalities. The license costs $400, with exemptions for certain municipal projects, and has a six-month maximum duration for marine organisms at a site. The bill also introduces a lease amendment process that allows lease holders to add species, gear, equipment, and structures to existing leases after holding the lease for at least one year, subject to commissioner approval and specific rules. Each type of amendment (species, gear, equipment/structure) has its own application fee and notification requirements, and temporary operational modifications can be authorized to address environmental conditions or public health concerns.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2025&snum=132