REMINDER: 2024 LPA Renewal Application & Quiz Now Available

Maine Department of Marine Resources sent this bulletin at 11/07/2023 08:30 AM EST

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Hello,

This is a reminder that the 2024 LPA renewal application and quiz are now available on the Department’s website at the link below under ‘announcements.’ Also included is a copy of the message that was sent to all LPA holders on September 11^th, which outlined important information concerning the 2024 renewal process. A copy of that message is included as a courtesy. Please make sure you complete the application by November 30^th. Thank you!

Link to 2024 renewal application and quiz: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/aquaculture

The information below was sent to all LPA holders on September 11, 2023:

Hello,

The 2024 LPA renewal season is fast approaching and as many of you know, there have been a lot of changes to the LPA program as the Department works to streamline and improve processing. In addition, the Department made modifications to the LPA program via rule, which changed some legal elements of LPA processing.

The purpose of this message is to communicate important updates regarding the 2024 LPA renewal process before the application and quiz are posted. Please carefully review the information below and plan accordingly.

Changes to the 2024 renewal process:

In accordance with recent regulatory changes, LPA renewal applications must be received by November 30^th. We anticipate making the renewal application and quiz available, on our website, by Monday, October 2, 2023. We will send an additional notification when the application and quiz are posted.

The renewal application will look different this year as it has been combined with the quiz. Those indicating that they wish to renew their LPAs will automatically be directed to the training quiz.

The quiz questions have been updated for 2024 and each question will note which resource you should consult to find the correct answer. There will also be links to the respective resource. You need to pass the quiz before you can renew your LPA(s) for 2024.

The fee to renew an LPA is $100 per application for residents and $400 per application for non-residents. An invoice will be mailed to you based on the mailing address you provide on the renewal form. Invoicing is handled by a separate state entity, so please follow the payment instructions on the invoice. We anticipate invoices being mailed in late December/early January. Failure to pay in a timely manner (e.g. 30 days) will result in the revocation of your LPA(s).

LPAs that are held by a municipal shellfish program are exempted from the training quiz and fee in accordance with rule and law.

In compliance with regulation, LPAs can no longer be amended during the licensing term. However, as part of the renewal application, holders can request changes to mooring type/layout, source of stock, assistants, and species. If those changes are requested, the Department will follow-up with each holder to get additional information to process the allowable change.

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In closing, these changes are a combination of regulatory updates and policy decisions that are intended to streamline processing and improve efficiencies.

Please make sure you are following deadlines and carefully reviewing the electronic notices we send concerning renewal. If you have questions, please email: DMRaquaculture@maine.gov or call 350-7815 and your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate staff person for follow-up.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and will be in touch when the application/quiz are posted.

Thank you,

Amanda Ellis, PhD

Director, Aquaculture Division

Maine Department of Marine Resources

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