Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6072, sub-§7-C is enacted to read:

7-C.__Salt Pond in Hancock County.__Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the following limitations on aquaculture leases in an estuary of Blue Hill Bay in Hancock County known as Salt Pond are as follows:

A.__The total area that may be leased may not exceed 8% of the total surface area of Salt Pond, measured at mean high tide;

B.__A performance bond of $20,000 and an annual lease fee of $2000 are required for each aquaculture lease in Salt Pond; and

C.__An aquaculture lease in Salt Pond may not be approved for a new or foreign species of fish unless those fish are quarantined for one year prior to introduction and the commissioner certifies that the fish meet all applicable state fish health rules.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes aquaculture lease standards for Salt Pond in Hancock County. The bill limits aquaculture leases to not more than 8% of the surface area of Salt Pond, requires a performance bond of $20,000 and an annual lease fee of $2000 for each aquaculture lease in Salt Pond and prohibits leases for new or foreign species of fish unless those fish are quarantined for one year prior to introduction and the commissioner certifies that the fish meet all applicable state fish health rules.