Aquaculture Application Portal FAQ

Application Portal Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current lease processing system like?

• DMR’s aquaculture application intake and processing system is entirely paper based and manual. In a paper-based system, staff must manually handle every step of the process, including payment.  
• There are approximately 124 lease applications under review, yet the existing paper-based system does not provide the capacity to deliver regular updates to applicants, efficiently manage correspondence and track follow-up submissions.
• The paper-based system is also frustrating for applicants, who have expressed the need for a system that is more modern and streamlined.  
• A paper-based system also consumes a significant amount of staff time, which could be better spent on other aspects of aquaculture programming, including processing decisions.   

 

How does the aquaculture application portal work? 

• The electronic lease application system is available through DMR’s online licensing portal, LEEDS.  
• If you have ever applied online for an aquaculture harvester license, or other DMR issued commercial license you have used LEEDs and the interface will likely look familiar to you.  
• Essentially, the electronic lease application is a digital version of a paper application. However, the electronic lease application includes many enhancements and features that are not supported through a paper process.  
• If you have never used LEEDs, you will need to sign up for an account and then can access the respective lease application.
• To apply for a lease, login to the Aquaculture Application Portal  

 

How does the aquaculture application portal differ from the paper process?

• The transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system is like the evolution from the horse and buggy to the automobile-a significant leap forward in efficiency, and capability!  
• Pay application fees via electronic check or credit card at the time you submit your proposal. Applicants who choose to pay by credit card no longer have to contact a separate state entity.  
• You can apply anywhere you have internet or cell service-the application is smartphone compatible.  
• You can see public comments and other feedback DMR received about your proposal in real-time.  
• Self-service status updates and notifications: you can login and see where your application is in the review process. You receive electronic reminders to complete outstanding steps, which helps ensure your application moves through the process in a timely manner.  

 

How is DMR planning to manage the transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system?  

• We recognize that this is a significant change for both industry and DMR. Throughout the project, we have worked closely with industry, via the DMR Aquaculture Advisory Council (DMR AqAC), and experienced design and development professionals to build an application system that is user-friendly, responsive to industry feedback, meets DMR’s operational needs, and is cost-effective. 
• We are launching electronic applications in phases. The experimental and standard lease applications are available now and the renewal, transfer, expansion, and amendment applications will be available in the coming weeks. A phased approach allows DMR to better assist industry with the transition and be more responsive to any issues that may arise with a change of this scale. We would also encourage industry members who use the system to share their feedback with the Aquaculture Division or the DMR AqAC. Sharing feedback helps us continue to improve the system and evolve. 
• All applications that were submitted prior to the launch of the electronic system will be processed under the paper-based system as there is no capability to convert what has already been submitted into the electronic system. In fairness to all applicants, DMR will continue to process all applications in the order they are deemed complete regardless of how they were submitted.  
• Paper applications will also be available for at least the next six months. However, they will eventually be phased out with notice provided to industry prior to the transition.  

 

Why are paper applications being phased out?  

• Applications are one part of larger processing system. The paper application is part of a manual processing system that fails to meet the growing needs of industry and involves a significant amount of DMR resources to maintain.  
• Additionally, having to maintain two separate systems (paper and electronic) would result in longer processing times for everyone and the benefits of a modernized system would not have the opportunity to be actualized. Essentially, the problems of a manual system persist and over the long term DMR takes on more work that further slows down processing.  
• DMR will continue to maintain a manual system until all applications received under the old system are fully processed.  
• In the coming months, DMR will be phasing out the use of paper lease applications, so all submissions will eventually be made electronically.  

 

When will the benefits of the electronic portal be realized?  

• Anyone who applies electronically will benefit immediately from all the new features and enhancements. 
• It will be several months before processing efficiencies from an electronic system can be fully measured as DMR works to gradually phase out paper applications and works to process existing applications in the manual system.  

 

Will information sessions about the aquaculture application portal be offered? 

• Yes, information sessions have been scheduled for September, October, and November. Additional sessions may be added after November if necessary. Details about the informational sessions are available at maine.gov/dmr/aquaculture under “Upcoming Aquaculture Meetings.”  

Will Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) applications be available in the electronic portal?  

• Hopefully, someday! For now, the system is for lease applications only.  
• LPA applications continue to be paper based, but given their scale and review parameters, they typically take 30 to 40 days to process.

 

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Apply for your lease site electronically using the Aquaculture Application Portal. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Aquaculture Division at DMRAquaculture@maine.gov or 350-7815.