Protect Maine asks Stonington to consider aquaculture moratorium; lawmakers and staff discuss limits of local authority

Representatives from Protect Maine urged the Stonington Selectmen to consider a moratorium on new aquaculture leases, citing concerns about the pace of lease applications and potential local impacts.

At a May meeting, Mark Gallaher and others presented background material and argued in favor of a pause so towns could review authority and procedural protections. Jon Lewis, a former Department of Marine Resources official, described his concerns about lease volume and regulatory oversight. State Representative Genevieve McDonald attended and offered a procedural perspective, noting differences between local and state jurisdiction over aquaculture approvals.

Town Manager Billings said she had forwarded material to municipal legal advisors for review. The Selectmen thanked presenters and tabled formal action pending input from the town attorney and additional legal guidance about what measures are available to municipalities under state law.

No ordinance or moratorium was enacted in the hearings summarized in the transcript; the matter remained in discussion and legal review.