An Act Directing the Commissioner of Marine Resources To Investigate the Conditions of Sheepscot Pond Related to a Management Plan for Anadromous Fish Species

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:

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.