Protect Maine asks Stonington to consider aquaculture lease moratorium; legislature and DMR process debated

A group calling itself Protect Maine asked the Stonington selectmen to consider adopting a temporary moratorium on new aquaculture leases while the town reviews public-notice processes and potential impacts.

At the May and April meetings, Mark Gallaher and others described a white paper they said showed legal interpretations that justify a moratorium. Jon Lewis, introduced as a former head of DMR’s aquaculture division, spoke of concerns about escalating lease applications. Rep. Genevieve McDonald and other presenters pushed back on some process descriptions and urged careful review of state procedures and Marine Resources Committee practices.

Why it matters: The coastal community is evaluating how to balance shellfish and aquaculture development against traditional fishing and navigation uses. A moratorium would be a precautionary pause allowing the town to assess ordinance language, public notice, and environmental review.

Board action: The selectmen accepted public input, sent the materials to MMA legal counsel and the town attorney for review, and tabled formal action pending legal guidance. No moratorium ordinance or emergency rule was adopted in the meetings recorded here.

Next steps: TM Billings said the town would review Protect Maine materials with legal counsel and bring findings back to the selectmen for possible ordinance action or public hearings.