An Act Directing the Commissioner of Marine Resources To Investigate the Conditions of Sheepscot Pond Related to a Management Plan for Anadromous Fish Species
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0922
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: PIERCE, VITELLI, ALLEY, DEVIN, HAWKE, KUMIEGA, SIMMONS, SUTTON, TUCKER, TUELL
Amends: 12 MRSA §6003, 12 MRSA §12760

Legislative Document
No. 922
H.P. 650
House of Representatives, March 7, 2017
An Act Directing the Commissioner of Marine Resources To 
Investigate the Conditions of Sheepscot Pond Related to a 
Management Plan for Anadromous Fish Species
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative PIERCE of Dresden.
Cosponsored by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc and
Representatives: ALLEY of Beals, DEVIN of Newcastle, HAWKE of Boothbay Harbor, 
KUMIEGA of Deer Isle, SIMMONS of Waldoboro, SUTTON of Warren, TUCKER of 
Brunswick, TUELL of East Machias.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  12 MRSA §6003, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 312, §3, is amended to read: 
§6003.  Coordination of fisheries management 
The Commissioner of Marine Resources commissioner, in consultation with the 
Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, may regulate the taking of freshwater 
fish species in coastal waters.  Rules shall be promulgated in accordance with section 
6171.  Whenever a bag limit on freshwater fish species in coastal waters exists, as defined 
in section 6001, subsection 17-A, no a person may not possess more than one day's bag 
limit, regardless of whether the fish are taken from inland or coastal waters.  The 
Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall cooperate with the commissioner in 
carrying out the provisions of section 6171 for the management of anadromous fish 
species and habitat.  The commissioner shall adopt routine technical rules as defined by 
Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A in accordance with section 6171 to carry out the 
purposes of this section. 
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §12760, sub-§10 is enacted to read: 
10.  Sheepscot Pond fishway.  The commissioner shall open and keep operational 
the fishway on the Sheepscot River located at the outlet of Sheepscot Pond in the Town 
of Palermo from April 15th to June 30th annually to allow the passage of anadromous 
fish. 
Sec. 3.  Commissioner of Marine Resources to monitor anadromous fish 
in Sheepscot Pond.  Pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6171, the 
Commissioner of Marine Resources shall develop a management plan for anadromous 
fish species and habitat for Sheepscot Pond in the Town of Palermo.  The commissioner 
shall investigate the conditions of Sheepscot Pond during and after the period of time the 
fishway located at the outlet of the pond is open and operational under Title 12, section 
12760 for the purpose of developing a management plan for anadromous fish species and 
habitat. 
SUMMARY 
This bill directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to open and keep operational 
from April 15th to June 30th annually the fishway on the Sheepscot River located at the 
outlet of Sheepscot Pond in the Town of Palermo and to investigate the conditions of the 
pond for the purpose of developing a management plan for anadromous fish species.