Press Releases

Contact: Deborah Turcotte, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Telephone: work (207) 287-6008 cell (207) 592-1164

Fax: (207) 287-6395

June 10, 2008

Commissioner Martin’s Statement on Projected Passage of Question 1

Augusta – On today’s ballot, Maine voters were given the opportunity to vote on a $29,725,000 bond issue for natural resource and transportation infrastructure, as well as help protect Maine’s environment.

The bond proposal includes $2.3 million for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that will be used for fish hatcheries rehabilitation and dam repair.

The Associated Press has projected passage of Question 1.

Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin tonight said that he is thankful to voters for supporting the bond measure and for providing the funding mechanism to allow the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to do the work it is required to do by state mandate.

“We appreciate that voters have recognized the importance of the work conducted at our fish hatcheries, and that they believe the upgrade of the hatcheries’ wastewater discharge systems is important to the environment and the fish and wildlife who live in Maine’s outdoors,” said Roland “Dan” Martin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “The $2.3 million in bonds allows us to meet state-mandated discharge standards, plus make repairs on a few dams that regulate water flow and protect waterfowl and wildlife management areas.”

The Department’s component of the bond includes:

Hatcheries Rehabilitation: $2,000,000 – The bond would provide funds to upgrade effluent discharge systems at some of Maine’s fish hatcheries to meet current Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) parameters on phosphorous levels and total suspended solids released in the water into rivers and streams. All of the state’s fish hatcheries each operate under a five-year license that is up for renewal in 2011. Rehabilitation of the systems not only will ensure compliance with DEP standards but allow the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to continue its fish stocking programs at current or improved levels.

Dam Repair: $300,000 – The bond would provide funds to fix several dams owned by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on lakes, ponds and streams that regulate water flow and protect waterfowl and other wildlife habitats.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Press Releases