Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on the Planning and Development of Marine Aquaculture in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 1519
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: BULL

Legislative Document 
No. 1519 
H.P.1112 
House of Representatives, April 4, 2003 
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on the Planning and 
Development of Marine Aquaculture in Maine 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed. 
/r/~ /J7. 7Ild£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative BULL of Freeport. (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
Printed OR recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. 
Whereas, Acts 
Legislature 
do 
not 
become 
effective 
adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; 
and 
until 
and 
resolves 
of 
the 
days 
after 
Whereas, marine aquaculture is controversial and of great 
public interest. 
There is controversy surrounding its impact on 
the environment, existing wild fisheries, recreation, tourism and 
conserved land; and 
Whereas, marine aquaculture is an important element of the 
State's marine economy and is a legitimate use of state water; and 
Whereas, the process by which state water is leased for the 
conduct of marine aquaculture is affected by this controversy, 
which is leading to lengthy administrative procedures, litigation 
and acrimony; and 
Whereas, there is an immediate need for 
a 
distinguished 
group of citizens to deliberate upon state policy for aquaculture 
leasing in order to develop a broader consensus on the place of 
aquaculture among other sectors of the marine economy; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts 
create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of 
Maine 
and 
require 
the 
following 
legislation 
as 
immediately 
necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 
safety; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: 
That the Task Force on 
the Planning and Development of Marine Aquaculture in Maine, 
referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; 
and be it further 
Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: 
That the task force 
includes 
members 
of 
the public with expertise in marine 
resources, 
fisheries, 
economic development, 
business, 
planning 
and 
natural 
resource 
conservation 
to 
be 
appointed 
by 
the 
Governor; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: 
That the task force shall elect a 
chair from among its members; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: 
That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the 
effective date of this resolve. 
Within 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the Chair of the Legislative Council shall call 
and convene the first meeting of the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Staff assistance; technical assistance. Resolved: 
That the 
Department 
of 
Marine 
Resources, 
with 
cooperation 
from 
Page l-LR2049(1) 
the Maine Coastal Program of the Executive Department, 
State 
Planning Office, shall provide staff services to the task force. 
The task force or the department may also seek or contract for 
technical 
assistance 
from 
any 
other 
agency, 
institution, 
individual or group that it determines appropriate to support the 
work of the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Issues to be considered. Resolved: 
That the task force 
shall, at a minimum, consider the following issues in developing 
its recommendations on how to balance the range of potential uses 
of state waters and plan for the growth of marine aquaculture 
while considering all reasonable constraints and opportunities: 
1. 
Any bay management or aquaculture development strategies 
presently being developed in this State and in other national and 
international jurisdictions that allocate or plan for amounts of 
aquaculture within geographically defined areas. 
An examination 
of these examples must include an investigation of the type of 
information 
and 
technical 
and 
financial 
resources 
needed 
to 
implement such a plan in this State; 
2. 
The present size and characteristics 
well 
as 
the 
short-term, 
2-year, 
and 
projections 
of 
industry growth, 
based 
on 
capital investment; 
of the industry, as 
long-term, 
10-year, 
market 
demand 
and 
3. 
An assessment of the impacts aquaculture has on tourism, 
recreation and conserved lands; 
4. 
An assessment of how the external impact of aquaculture 
farms 
can best 
be mitigated in 
an equitable 
and effective 
fashion; and 
5. 
An assessment of present decision-making criteria for 
granting leases; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Public meetings. Resolved: 
That, in examining these 
issues, the task force shall meet to the extent necessary to 
fulfill its duties, as well as hold at least one public meeting 
expressly 
for 
the 
purpose 
of 
receiving 
public 
comment 
and 
testimony on its work; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That the task force shall submit a 
report that includes its findings 
and recommendations to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and the Legislative 
Council by January 15, 2004. 
The task force is not authorized to 
introduce 
legislation. 
Following 
receipt 
and 
review of 
the 
report, 
the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources may 
report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the l2lst 
Legislature. 
If 
the 
task 
force 
requires 
an 
extension 
of time to complete its report, it may apply to the Legislative 
Council, which may grant the extension. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency ci ted in the 
preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force on the Planning and 
Development 
of 
Marine 
Aquaculture 
in 
Maine 
to 
develop 
recommendations on how to balance the range of potential uses of 
state waters and plan for the growth of marine aquaculture while 
considering all reasonable constraints and opportunities.