Aquaculture Public Hearing

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is holding a public hearing on the proposal listed below. Please carefully review the schedule of proceedings as there are important deadlines regarding participation.

Applicant Name: Bailey Coffin
Application Type: Standard Lease
Culture Type: Bottom and Suspended Culture of Shellfish
Location: West of Sow and Pigs Island, Freeport
Acreage and Term Requested: 6.83 acres for 20 years

Schedule of proceedings:

1. Pre-hearing conference  

May 3, 2023, 11:00am - Remote participation via Microsoft Teams
The pre-hearing conference is a meeting to discuss the general administration of the hearing. Attendance is recommended for anyone who may apply for intervenor status. The deadline to register for the pre-hearing conference is 12:00pm on May 1, 2023. If the pre-hearing conference needs to be postponed, it will be held remotely on May 5, 2023, at 2:00pm. Notice of a postponement will be posted to DMR’s website.

2. Registering to Participate and Apply for Intervenor Status

A. Registration: Anyone wishing to attend the hearing is asked to register. Persons intending to ask questions of the parties or to testify about the proposal (“Interested Persons”) must register with DMR to participate in this manner. Failure to register may limit your ability to participate in the proceeding. Persons who are unable to register online or need assistance with the form must contact DMR.

B. Intervening: Intervenor applications must be requested from DMR at the contact information below. DMR will decide whether to grant intervenor status five days before the hearing. If you are granted intervenor status, you become a legal party to the proceeding.
The deadline to register is 5:00pm on May 8, 2023. Applications to intervene must also be received by this date and time.

3. Hearing

The hearing will be held remotely and in person as follows:
May 23, 2023 1:00pm
Freeport Town Hall
30 Main Street
Freeport, ME 04032

If the hearing listed above is postponed or continued, it will be held on May 25, 2023, at the same time, location, and format. Notice of a postponement or a continuance will be posted on DMR’s website.

The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the adjudicatory proceeding provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (5 M.R.S.A., ch. 375, subchapter 4). Any interested person may attend the hearing and registered participants may ask questions of the parties or testify about the application(s).

All registration forms are available at maine.gov/dmr/aquaculture.
The application and site report are posted to DMR’s aquaculture webpage under “Pending Lease Applications.”

Address questions to:
Maine Department of Marine Resources
Attn: Aquaculture Division
21 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0021
(207) 215-9134
[email protected]

For disability accommodations, contact Melissa Macaluso at 207-624-6553, [email protected], or 877-243-2823 TTY 711