An Act To Make Technical Changes to Maine's Aquaculture Statutes

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6071-A  is enacted to read:

§ 6071-A.  Definitions

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6072-C, sub-§3,  as enacted by PL 1999, c. 567, §2, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6073, sub-§4  is enacted to read:

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §6082  is enacted to read:

§ 6082.  Confidentiality provisions for aquaculture information from other jurisdictions

Information obtained from other state, federal or foreign government agencies about aquaculture operations in other states, foreign countries or the exclusive economic zone that is designated as confidential by the jurisdiction from which it is obtained and that must remain confidential as a condition of receipt must be kept confidential by the department. Such information is not a public record as defined in Title 1, section 402, subsection 3. This section does not apply to aquaculture operations conducted in Maine.

summary

The bill proposes to make several technical changes to Maine's aquaculture statutes. It provides a more specific definition for "intertidal zone" for the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, chapter 605, subchapter 2. It allows a limited-purpose aquaculture license to be issued to a municipal shellfish committee. It prohibits a person from marking or designating an area as a sea farm or aquaculture lease unless the area is currently leased for aquaculture or is under consideration for leasing through the aquaculture lease process. Finally, it provides that information obtained from other state, federal or foreign government agencies about aquaculture operations in their jurisdictions that is designated as confidential must be kept confidential by the Department of Marine Resources.