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Protect Maine asks Stonington to consider aquaculture moratorium; legislators and former DMR official debate process
Summary
At hearings, Protect Maine asked the Selectmen to consider a moratorium on aquaculture leases; Rep. Genevieve McDonald and former DMR official Jon Lewis disagreed about the scope and application process, and the Selectmen tabled formal action pending legal review.
An organization calling itself Protect Maine asked Stonington Selectmen to consider a temporary moratorium on aquaculture leases, prompting technical exchange and differing interpretations of state process.
During May 2 and April 18 discussions, Mark Gallaher and other Protect Maine representatives presented legal and policy materials urging a moratorium to allow towns to assess the scale and cumulative impacts of pending lease applications. Jon Lewis, a former aquaculture official, echoed concerns about escalating lease volume. Rep. Genevieve McDonald, a member of the Marine Resources committee, questioned some procedural claims and clarified aspects of the state review process as she understands it.
Town Manager Billings told the board she had forwarded Protect Maine materials to municipal legal counsel and the town attorney for review. Selectmen generally favored legal review and public education rather than immediate restriction; the matter was tabled pending counsel input.
No local ordinance or moratorium was adopted. The Selectmen recorded that future action would depend on the town attorney's guidance and any state rule changes or clarifications.
Next steps: The town attorney and municipal legal counsel will review Protect Maine materials and report back to the Selectmen; further local action will be deferred until legal questions and state process clarifications are received.
