Protect Maine asks Stonington to consider aquaculture moratorium; lawmaker disputes some claims about process

Representatives from Protect Maine asked the selectmen to consider a moratorium on aquaculture leases, citing concerns about lease volume and town authority.

Mark Gallagher presented the group's concerns and referenced legal white papers supplied by Drummond and Woodsum (as described in the minutes). Jon Lewis, a former Department of Marine Resources official, said he worried about the pace of lease applications. Protect Maine urged the town to study moratorium options adopted by other communities.

Representative Genevieve McDonald, a member of the legislative Marine Resources Committee, attended and disputed several process descriptions raised by speakers, telling the meeting she had a different understanding of the state processes. Abby Barrows and others emphasized the existing application and public notice processes for leases.

Town Manager Billings said the materials had been sent to MMA legal and the town’s attorney for review. The board tabled the matter for legal review and did not adopt a moratorium at the meetings recorded in the minutes.

Next step: selectmen requested legal guidance before taking any regulatory action on aquaculture leases.