CHAPTER 247

H.P. 1040 - L.D. 1417

An Act To Make Changes to the Laws Governing Aquaculture

Leasing

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§57-C, as reallocated by RR 1995, c. 2, §9, is amended to read:

57-C. Maine Not 12 MRSA

Marine Salmon Authorized §6080

Resources Aquaculture

Advisory

Council

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6072, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1983, c. 301, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Authority. The commissioner may lease areas in, on and under the coastal waters, including the public lands beneath those waters and portions of the intertidal zone, for scientific research or for aquaculture of marine organisms. The commissioner may grant a lease to any person. Except as provided in this Part, the commissioner's power to lease lands under this section shall be is exclusive. For the purposes of this section, the deputy commissioner may serve in the place of the commissioner. For the purposes of this section, the commissioner or the deputy commissioner serving in the place of the commissioner may authorize in writing qualified professional department staff to sign lease documents.