This Week in Committee

The Marine Resources Committee has had a busy week! 

A school of alewives.

Cred: GEOFFREY GILMOUR-TAYLOR FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS

HTTP://NEWS.MPBN.NET/POST/CANADIANS-OPPOSE-CLOSURE-ST-CROIX-RIVER-BASIN-ALEWIVES

On Monday morning 4/27 we listened to public hearings on L.D. 1262 An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries and L.D. 800 An Act To Prevent Passage of Alewives through the Grand Falls Dam on the St. Croix River.

On Wednesday afternoon 4/29 public hearings were held for L.D. 1227 An Act To Provide for Improved Reporting of Marine Resources Landings and L.D. 1233 An Act To Improve Enforcement of Maine's Marine Resources Laws. 

Then we had a work session for L.D. 800 An Act To Prevent Passage of Alewives through the Grand Falls Dam on the St. Croix River, L.D. 896  An Act To Improve Lobster Licensing

and L.D. 1262  An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries. 

Results: L.D. 800 was voted ought not to pass, L.D. 896 was tabled and L.D. 1263 was also tabled. 

Here is some background and the results on L.D. 800, which brought lots of legislative debate:

Battle revived over alewives in St. Croix River - Central Maine

Maine lawmakers reject bill to bar alewives from upper St. Croix River - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Public Hearing testimony items for L.D. 896:

LD 896, HP 615, Text and Status, 127th Legislature, First Regular Session

Summary of "An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries":

www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0862&item=1&snum=127

And don't forget that bill searches and public hearing schedules and testimonies are always available at: legislature.maine.gov