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Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment
ADVERTISE: May 27, 2020
AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 17 - Trapping
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend several portions of Chapter 17 rules to clarify or simplify existing rules to include the following: define “visible attractor”, there is currently no definition for visible attractor measures that were put in place to reduce the incidental take of lynx and other non-target species in traps; update beaver trapping season dates and closures; clarify muskrat trap placement and modify the existing rule to allow muskrats to be kept if caught incidentally while trapping for beaver; add otter to the exemption to incidental catch requirements when trapping for muskrat; increase the annual fisher bag limit from 10 to 25 statewide; remove the requirement for temporary transportation tags for marten and fisher; and amend the annual survey requirements to only trappers age 16 years and older. A complete copy of the proposal may be requested by contacting the Agency Contact Person. NOTICE: Due to the state of emergency that has been declared by the Governor, public hearings are now closed to the public physically attending. The public is strongly encouraged to submit any comments in writing to the Agency Contact Person. However, if you would like to submit comment via video conference, please contact Becky Orff at 207-287-5202 or Becky.Orff@maine.gov for details. Thank you for your understanding while we are experiencing this state of emergency.
PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 @ 4:00pm – via video conference (Microsoft Teams). Contact the Agency Contact Person for details.
COMMENT DEADLINE: June 26, 2020
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 10104, 12251
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: May 27, 2020
AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16 – Hunting
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend Chapter 16 rules in order to comply with new laws enacted during the 129th Legislature. Amendments include changes in use of crossbows during the regular archery only deer season and fall wild turkey hunting season, definition of an “antlerless moose,” and a change in the term used to describe adult supervision of junior hunters to “junior hunter supervisor.” A copy of the complete proposal can be requested from the Agency Contact Person.
PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled
COMMENT DEADLINE: June 26, 2020
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 10104
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: May 27, 2020
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 wild turkey hunting rules to allow harvest during the fall season in Wildlife Management District (WMD) 6. If adopted, WMD 6 would be open during the fall turkey season with a bag limit of one turkey of either sex. All other rules for fall wild turkey hunting will apply. A copy of the complete proposal can be requested from the Agency Contact Person.
PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled
COMMENT DEADLINE: June 26, 2020
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 10104, 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
ADVERTISE: May 27, 2020
AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16.07 – Deer Hunting (Expanded Archery Areas)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend existing expanded archery area boundaries to reflect changed road or landmark names and to recommend additions to four of the expanded archery areas: WMD 24 area, Augusta area, Camden area, and Lewiston area. A complete copy of the proposal may be requested by contacting the Agency Contact Person.
NOTICE: Due to the state of emergency that has been declared by the Governor, public hearings are now closed to the public physically attending. The public is strongly encouraged to submit any comments in writing to the Agency Contact Person. However, if you would like to submit comment via video conference, please contact Becky Orff at 207-287-5202 or Becky.Orff@maine.gov for details. Thank you for your understanding while we are experiencing this state of emergency.
PUBLIC HEARING: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 @ 4:00pm – via video conference (Microsoft Teams). Contact the Agency Contact Person for details.
COMMENT DEADLINE: June 29, 2020
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 10104, 11402
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: May 27, 2020
AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16.07 – Deer Hunting (4.A.)(6.)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to adopt antlerless deer permit (ADP) numbers for the 2020 regular deer hunting season and special muzzle-loading season by setting specific permit allocations for the 29 Wildlife Management Districts (WMD) as follows:
| WMD | # of Permits | WMD | # of Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMD 1 | 0 | WMD 17 | 13,350 |
| WMD 2 | 25 | WMD 18 | 260 |
| WMD 3 | 50 | WMD 19 | 25 |
| WMD 4 | 0 | WMD 20 | 8,250 |
| WMD 5 | 0 | WMD 21 | 13,000 |
| WMD 6 | 200 | WMD 22 | 13,200 |
| WMD 7 | 100 | WMD 23 | 17,000 |
| WMD 8 | 25 | WMD 24 | 8,400 |
| WMD 9 | 25 | WMD 25 | 16,530 |
| WMD 10 | 25 | WMD 26 | 725 |
| WMD 11 | 25 | WMD 27 | 50 |
| WMD 12 | 360 | WMD 28 | 25 |
| WMD 13 | 260 | WMD 29 | 1,500 |
| WMD 14 | 60 | Subunit 25a | 225 |
| WMD 15 | 6,300 | Subunit 26a | 145 |
| WMD 16 | 9,750 | ||
| TOTAL PERMITS: 109,890 | |||
The Department is again recommending issuance of bonus antlerless deer permits in two subunits, Subunit 25a and 26a. These additional permits will allow for additional opportunity to harvest deer in areas experiencing elevated levels of Lyme disease, deer-vehicle collisions and public complaints about deer. A complete copy of the proposal may be requested by contacting the Agency Contact Person. NOTICE: Due to the state of emergency that has been declared by the Governor, public hearings are now closed to the public physically attending. The public is strongly encouraged to submit any comments in writing to the Agency Contact Person. However, if you would like to submit comment via video conference, please contact Becky Orff at 207-287-5202 or Becky.Orff@maine.gov for details. Thank you for your understanding while we are experiencing this state of emergency.
PUBLIC HEARING: Monday, June 15, 2020 @ 4:00pm – via video conference (Microsoft Teams). Contact the Agency Contact Person for details.
COMMENT DEADLINE: June 25, 2020
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. S
TATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS 11152, 11401
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED: Rule-Making Fact Sheet (5 MRSA 8057-A) AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, E-MAIL OF AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: 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
ADVERTISE: May 6, 2020
AGENCY: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16.09 – Bear Hunting
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER (leave blank; assigned by Secretary of State):
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 41 State House Station, 284 State Street, Augusta, ME 04333; Tel: 207-287-5202; becky.orff@maine.gov
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION (if different):
PUBLIC HEARING (if any): None scheduled
COMMENT DEADLINE: June 5, 2020
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has received a valid petition to consider amending Chapter 16 rules as they pertain to bear hunting. The petitioner has requested rules be modified to establish a bear feeding season, establish a bear feeding permit and set limits on the number of bear feeding permits issued annually. Please contact the agency contact person above for a complete copy of the proposed rule or to submit written comments on the proposal.
IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: No fiscal impact is anticipated.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRSA, Section 10104
E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov