LD 1775 creates a new designation of “sustenance fishing” under Maine’s water quality classification system. With this designation, the state will upgrade water quality criteria in waterbodies delineated in statute as providing important sources of fish for Maine’s tribes. The new legal designation will enable safe consumption of up to 50 ounces per person per week of fish taken from the designated waterbodies, a significant improvement over the current 8 ounces per week standard. This law was the product of an agreement between the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of Environmental Protection will adopt the new water quality criteria by March of 2020.
| District | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Russell J. Black | |
| 25 | Catherine Breen | |
| 27 | Benjamin M. Chipman | |
| 20 | Ned Claxton | |
| 16 | Scott W. Cyrway | |
| 4 | Paul T. Davis | |
| 32 | Susan A. Deschambault | |
| 26 | Bill Diamond | |
| 5 | James F. Dill | |
| 3 | Bradlee Thomas Farrin | |
| 10 | Stacey K. Guerin | |
| 1 | Troy Dale Jackson | |
| 18 | Lisa Keim | |
| 35 | Mark W. Lawrence | |
| 21 | Nathan L. Libby | |
| 29 | Rebecca J. Millett | |
| 12 | David R. Miramant | |
| 6 | Marianne Moore | |
| 15 | Matthew G. Pouliot | |
| 8 | Kimberley C. Rosen | |
| 22 | Jeffrey L. Timberlake | |
| 23 | Eloise A. Vitelli | |
| 33 | David C. Woodsome | |