Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment

ADVERTISE: January 20, 2021
AGENCY: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 16.11 – Migratory Game Bird 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: Tuesday, February 9, 2021 @ 4:00pm – via video conference (Microsoft Teams). Contact the Agency Contact Person by close of business on Monday, February 8, 2021 for details.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 19, 2021
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing amendments to rules pertaining to season dates and bag limits for the hunting of ducks, geese and other migratory game birds. The proposed rules will protect migratory game birds from over-harvest by setting these limitations. Of note this season in accordance with USFWS guidelines is a proposed earlier start date for Woodcock season of September 25, 2021 which coincides with the season start date for grouse and other upland species. For both common snipe and rails, the proposed season ends two weeks later than in previous seasons, the result of compensatory days being counted for all states that do not allow Sunday hunting. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the proposed rule or for details on how to participate in the virtual public hearing.
IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: No fiscal impact is anticipated.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRSA, Sections 10104 and 11855
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
E-MAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULE-MAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov 

ADVERTISE: January 20, 2021
AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 13.07 Watercraft (Motor Size Restrictions on Certain Inland Waters)
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER:
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in a notice advertised on September 23, 2020, was petitioned to consider the following watercraft regulations:
Notched Pond, Gray, Raymond, Cumberland County – motorboats with more than 10 horsepower prohibited. The Department is now providing additional opportunity for the public to submit written comments to support the petitioner’s request. A complete copy of the proposed rule is available from the agency contact person. Members of the public who wish to comment may provide written comments by mail or email to the contact person for this filing.
PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled.
COMMENT DEADLINE: February 19, 2021
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
CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT:
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: No fiscal impact anticipated.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS 13051
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