§12752. United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and its duly authorized agents may conduct fish culture operations and scientific investigations in the waters of this State in such manner and at such times as the service and its agents consider necessary and proper.

§12753. Screens

1.__Commissioner's authority. The commissioner may:

A.__Authorize, alter and remove the screening of any inland waters; and

B.__Prohibit fishing within 500 yards of any screen installed by authority of the commissioner or the Legislature.

2.__Tampering with screen. A person may not take up, destroy or injure any screen installed pursuant to this section, unless the person is duly authorized by the commissioner.

A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

§12754. Fish spawning areas

1.__Commissioner's authority.__The commissioner may by rule, pursuant to section 10104, subsection 1, designate any inland waters of the State as fish spawning areas.

2.__Hearing. The commissioner shall institute a public hearing, in conformity with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, if so requested by any state agency.

§12755.__Tampering with department dam

1.__Prohibition.__A person without authority from the commissioner may not:

A.__Tamper with a department dam;

B.__Open or close gates or sluiceways of a department dam;