Notice of Opportunity to Comment: 2025 LPA License Renewal

Hello, 

You are being sent this message as there are active Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) licenses in your community that may be eligible for renewal in 2025. As you may know, LPAs are annual licenses that cannot exceed 400 sqft in size and expire December 31st each year, but the holder may apply for them to be renewed. The Department is providing an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the renewal of existing LPA sites from November 15-November 30, 2024, dates inclusive.

In accordance with regulation, the Department is requesting that the municipality please distribute the attached notice to inform stakeholders in the community of the opportunity to submit comments. The notice could be posted to the town’s website, community bulletin board, newsletter, etc. The Department will also send a separate update to subscribers of aquaculture-related notices with additional notice posted to our website detailing the opportunity to comment and associated instructions. 

If the municipality elects to submit written comments, please follow the instructions below. Thank you for your feedback!

 

Step 1: Check which site(s) are eligible for renewal

• The link below will direct you to a sortable table of LPA sites that may be renewed in 2025. You can sort by town, waterbody, first or last name of the holder, etc. Within the search bar, type the town’s name to get a list of LPAs eligible for renewal within your municipality.
• Link to table: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/aquaculture/maine-aquaculture-leases-and-lpas/table-of-active-limited-purpose-aquaculture-lpa-licenses 

Step 2: Review the LPA renewal criteria

• The LPA holder is requesting to renew the site(s) they currently hold, and they cannot make substantive changes to existing operations.
• LPAs may be renewed, so long as they continue meet to meet the requirements of Chapter 2.90 (regulations governing LPAs) and 12 M.R.S.A. §6072-C (statute governing LPAs). This includes that the site does not unreasonably interfere with safe navigation, the ingress or egress of shorefront property owners, and fishing or other uses of the area in consideration of the number and density of other aquaculture activities in the area.

Step 3: Compile your comments

• For full consideration, please make sure the written comments are specific to the LPA rules and laws listed in Step 2 and include a summary of why the site(s) may no longer meet applicable requirements.
• Please make sure the comment identifies the name of the LPA holder(s) and respective site ID(s). This helps the Department ensure that your comments are attributed to the correct site(s).
• You may combine comments on multiple sites into a single submission, but please make sure it is clear which site(s) you are commenting on.

Step 4: Submit your comments

• Written comments are accepted either by email or mail at the address(es) listed below. Comments submitted via email need to be received by November 30^th.  Comments submitted via mail need to be postmarked by November 30^th.

Email:

DMRaquaculture@maine.gov  

Mail:

Maine Department of Marine Resources
Attn: Aquaculture Division
21 SHS Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0021

The Department will review comments received and begin processing renewals in December 2024. Please note that the renewal process can take several weeks to complete. Attached to this notice is a flyer to post at your town office.

If you have any questions, please email DMRaquaculture@maine.gov or call 350-7815 and your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate staff person for follow-up.

 

• Municipal LPA Comment Period Notice.pdf