Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment

ADVERTISE: February 27, 2019

AGENCY:  09-137   

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 1. Open Water and Ice Fishing Regulations

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing a change to the general law for fishing regulations in the North Region (Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Aroostook, and northern portions of Oxford and Penobscot Counties) to further protect wild trout waters, including tributaries and outlets of heritage ponds in the North Region. The change would prohibit use and possession of live fish as bait, except where designated by special rule, reducing the chance of new introductions of baitfish and other fish in the vast majority of flowing waters, dead-waters and small ponds in the North Region. The majority of waters with traditional use of live fish as bait will continue to be allowed. A new section in General Law titled “Terminal Gear” is also being proposed. The list of affected waters and amended general law may be obtained from the Agency Contact Person below or online at: http://www.maine.gov/ifw Anyone unable to attend the public hearings may submit written comments on the proposal. If adopted, the proposal will become effective January 1, 2020.

Date, time and location of PUBLIC HEARINGS:
March 18, 2019 @ 5:30pm – Baxter Park Inn, 935 Central Street, Millinocket
March 20, 2019 @ 5:30pm – Camden National Bank Ice Vault, 203 Whitten Road, Hallowell

COMMENT DEADLINE: April 1, 2019

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 284 State Street, #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333; becky.orff@maine.gov

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None anticipated.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS Sections 10104, 12453, 12454

AGENCY WEBSITE: www.maine.gov/ifw

E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov

 

ADVERTISE:  March 27, 2019

AGENCY:  09-137  Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE:  Chapter 16.08 – Moose Hunting

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:

BRIEF SUMMARY:  The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has scheduled a public hearing to discuss its proposal allocating the number of moose hunting permits to be issued for the 2019 moose hunting season. Permits will be issued for antlered, antlerless and any-moose. Proposed permit allocations according to Wildlife Management District are as follows:


WMD 1 – 350 antlered / 125 antlerless

WMD 13 – 15 antlered

WMD 2 – 250 antlered /125 antlerless

WMD 14 – 30 antlered

WMD 3 – 150 antlered / 100 antlerless

WMD 15 – 25 any-moose

WMD 4 – 300 antlered / 150 antlerless

WMD 16 – 15 any-moose

WMD 5 – 200 antlered / 100 antlerless

WMD 17 – 10 antlered

WMD 6 – 150 antlered / 50 antlerless

WMD 18 – 40 antlered

WMD 7 – 125 antlered

WMD 19 – 60 antlered

WMD 8 – 175 antlered

WMD 27 & 28 (combined) – 40 antlered

WMD 9 -   100 antlered

WMD 10 – 60 antlered

 

WMD 11 – 50 antlered

 

WMD 12 – 25 antlered

 

 

 

TOTAL:  2,130 antlered /650 antlerless / 40 any-moose

PUBLIC HEARING:  Tuesday, April 16, 2019 @ 5:30pm – Augusta Armory, Room 209, 179 Western Avenue,
Augusta 

COMMENT DEADLINE:  April 26, 2019

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:  Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; phone: 207-287-5202; fax: 207-287-6395; e-mail: Becky.Orff@maine.gov

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): No fiscal impact anticipated.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS 11551, 11552

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED:

AGENCY WEBSITE:  www.maine.gov/ifw 

E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON:  Becky.Orff@maine.gov

 

ADVERTISE:  March 27, 2019

AGENCY:  09-137  Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE:  Chapter 20 – Taxidermy License

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend the taxidermy license rule to create two new classifications to modernize the rules and include a “Freeze-Dried” and a “Reptile and Amphibian” Classification to the taxidermy license process. These classifications directly relate to the Department’s current definition of “taxidermy,” which is defined as the art of preparing, stuffing and/or mounting of skins of fish, wildlife or parts thereof, so as to make them appear lifelike. The proposal provides clear direction for the certification of taxidermists in the preservation process, as well as providing applicants with a clear outline of the requirements that need to be met, to become certified in one or more of the Department’s taxidermy license classifications.

PUBLIC HEARING:  None scheduled

COMMENT DEADLINE:  April 29, 2019

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:  Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; phone: 207-287-5202; fax: 207-287-6395; e-mail: Becky.Orff@maine.gov

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): No fiscal impact anticipated.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS, Section 12952

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED:

AGENCY WEBSITE:  www.maine.gov/ifw 

E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON:  Becky.Orff@maine.gov

 

ADVERTISE:  March 27, 2019

AGENCY:  09-137  Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE:  Chapter 16.10 – Wild Turkey Hunting

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend rules that permit the hunting of wild turkeys. During the spring season the split A/B season in WMDs 1 through 6 is proposed to be eliminated and would be open to all hunters.  During the fall season the Department is proposing to change the start date to the Monday closest to September 17 annually; establish a youth fall wild turkey hunting day; increase bag limits in WMDs 15-17 and 20-26, and expand options for shotgun gauges and shot size legal for wild turkey hunting to include shotgun gauges 10 through 28 and .410 with the use of shot sizes 2 through 9. A complete copy of the proposed rule can be obtained by contacting the agency contact person below.

PUBLIC HEARING:  None scheduled

COMMENT DEADLINE:  April 29, 2019

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:  Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; phone: 207-287-5202; fax: 207-287-6395; e-mail: Becky.Orff@maine.gov

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): No fiscal impact anticipated.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS, Section 11701

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED:

AGENCY WEBSITE:  www.maine.gov/ifw 

E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON:  Becky.Orff@maine.gov