5 - Other Entities

Introduction

This section includes descriptions of seven additional entities. These boards carry out work that is separate and independent of any agency. Six of the seven boards work directly on natural resource issues.

This public information can provide valuable insight to anyone working on a public policy issue. Furthermore, many ballot questions have been environmental issues, and anyone working in support of or against one should know the law.

Members of these entities are listed in Appendix A, giving name, town of residence, background and term expiration date.

Atlantic Salmon Commission

• Central Office: 161 Capital Street, Augusta, Maine
• Mail Address: 172 State House Station, Augusta 04333
• Telephone: 207-287-9972
• Fax: 207-287-9975
• Website: www.state.me.us/asc
• Statutory Citation: 12 MRSA Sec.9901
• Executive Director: Patrick Keliher
• (Members listed in Appendix.)
  

Purpose

The purpose of the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission is to protect, conserve, restore, manage and enhance Atlantic salmon habitat, populations and sport fisheries within historical habitat in all (inland and tidal) waters of the State of Maine. The Commission has sole authority and responsibility to manage the Atlantic salmon in all waters of the state, including the authority to stock salmon into Maine waters, to limit or prohibit the taking of salmon, to issue licenses, and to regulate the method, time, place, and manner of Atlantic salmon fishing in all waters of the State.

Organization

The Commission was established by the Maine Legislature in 1999 to replace the previous organization, the Atlantic Salmon Authority (since 1995) which in turn had replaced the Maine Atlantic Sea-Run Salmon Commission (since 1947). The Commission is governed by a three person board composed of the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Marine Resources, and a public member who serves a three year term. All are appointed by the Governor and approved by the state Senate. The Board meets quarterly in Augusta; information on agendas, minutes and directions to meetings are available on the website. The Board is responsible for hiring the Executive Director who manages the administrative and financial matters of the Commission and who executes the directives of the Commission.

Program

The Commission has administrative responsibility for Maine's Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan. The Commission runs research programs such as monitoring Atlantic salmon populations and habitat on the Narraguagus River and the tracking of adult salmon returns to the Penobscot River. The Commission also carries out monitoring and assessment studies on all of Maine's Atlantic salmon runs. Much of the ongoing assessment activities involve partnerships with federal resource agencies and local river groups.

In November 2000, National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the listing of Maine's wild Atlantic salmon in eight rivers as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Atlantic salmon in these rivers are at an all-time low and face a number of threats that could drive them to extinction. The listing covers the wild populations of Atlantic salmon found in rivers and streams in Maine from the lower Kennebec River north to the U.S.-Canada border. These include the Dennys, East Machias, Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, Ducktrap, and Sheepscot rivers and Cove Brook. The two agencies determined that, although significant progress had been made under the State Conservation Plan, water withdrawals and salmon farming issues continued to be a threat. The protection of the Endangered Species Act was deemed critical to ensure the survival of these salmon. Subsequent to the listing, the Atlantic Salmon Commission closed the angling season for Atlantic salmon in Maine until populations recover. A federal Recovery Plan, as called for when a species is listed, will help guide all federal, state and local salmon restoration efforts.

Staff to the Atlantic Salmon Commission work at the central office in Augusta as well as at reginal offices in Sidney, Jonesboro, and Bangor.

Publications

Baxter State Park Authority

• Central Office: 64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket
• Mail address: 64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket 04462
• Telephone: 207-723-9616 (business) / 207-723-5140 (reservations)
• Website: www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/index.html
• Statutory Citation: 12 MRSA Sec. 901
• Director Baxter State Park: D. Jensen Bissell
• (Members of following groups listed in Appendix: Baxter State Park Authority, Baxter State Park Advisory Committee, and Baxter State Park Scientific Forest Management Area Advisory Committee)
  

Purpose

It is the mission of the Baxter State Park Authority to carry out the provisions of the Trust created by Percival P. Baxter in 1933, known to the people of Maine as Baxter State Park. The Authority exists to ensure that the Park "shall forever be kept and remain in the Natural Wild State," to provide recreational opportunities to the public in accordance with Trust provisions, and to operate and maintain the Park for the use and enjoyment of Maine's people. The Authority is to ensure that the Park remains a sanctuary for beasts and birds and that "Katahdin in all its glory forever shall remain the mountain of the People of Maine" according to Governor Baxter's wishes. The primary responsibilities of the Authority are the following:

Organization

The Baxter State Park Authority is a three-person authority consisting of the Attorney General, the Director of the Bureau of Forestry, and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The Authority has full power in the control and management of the park and in the exercise of all Trust obligations. Responsibility for the day-to-day operation, policies and management of Baxter State Park is delegated from the Baxter State Park Authority to the Park Director who also supervises: Chief Ranger (Operations); Resource Manager (Scientific Forest Management); Park Naturalist (Information and Education); and a Business Manager. The Authority assigns policy-setting and decision-making tasks to Park staff and to Advisory Committee members and then receives reports or recommendations for action.

The combination of Governor Baxter's land donations (more than 200,000 acres between 1931 and 1962) and land acquired later by the Authority brings the Park to a total of 204,733 acres. Trust funds left by Governor Baxter provide money for the purchase of additional lands to be used for scientific forestry, recreation, and scenic value and wildlife habitat. The operation and maintenance of the park is provided through two additional trust funds left by Governor Baxter. The Park is administered separately from any state agency despite the use of "State Park" in its title. About half the cost of Park Operations is financed from a combination of user fees, entrance fees and wood products revenues; the rest is provided by revenues from trusts established by Percival Baxter.

Program

Both the "forever wild" and the forest management portions of Baxter State Park are managed according to Governor Baxter's Trust Deed Communications. The Park is a large wilderness area and in all policy issues the preservation and protection of Park resources is considered above recreational needs. The Park has ten campgrounds and numerous out-lying camping sites that provide an overnight capacity of over 1,000 campers with a seasonal capacity of 145,000. During peak summer use months of July and August the Park is often filled to capacity. The seasonal average use over the six months from May 15 to October 15 is usually around 50% of capacity. The Authority's website contains information such as: Camping and reservations rules and regulations, maps, hiking trails, jobs and volunteer listings, description of the scientific forest management area, and current events information.

In the Scientific Forest Management Area (SFMA) as with all of Baxter Park, the responsibility for policy and decision-making rests with the Baxter State Park Authority which seeks to manage the SFMA in compliance with Governor Baxter's Deeds of Trust for the area. The Authority uses a forest management plan of sensitive, scientifically sound intervention to develop a forest which will produce high value forest products growing within a healthy and diverse forest landscape. Most forest operations are performed by private contractors. Field management of the SFMA is carried out by the Park Resource Manager, Forest Technician and a seasonal Forestry Aide.

• Scientific Forest Management Area Advisory Committee is a standing committee of twelve citizens with expertise in environmental and forest resource areas which assists staff with policy development and improvement. Committee members are appointed by the Authority to three year terms which can be reappointed indefinitely. Members are chosen for their genuine interest and commitment of time in the Committee. The appointments are made in such a way as to ensure a balance of viewpoints on a wide range of issues. Citizens who go to several meetings and help fulfill the goal of balanced perspectives will be considered for appointments when openings occur.

• Baxter State Park Advisory Committee: First appointed in 1970, the Advisory Committee was directed to review long-term trends, issues and opportunities. Issues are referred to the Advisory Committee from the Authority; conversely, the Advisory Committee is also meant to bring to the Authority and the Park Director issues that are deemed appropriate for study and consideration.

The Advisory Committee is appointed by the Authority and is strictly advisory; responsibility for decisions rests with the Authority and the Director of the Park. The Committee is made up of as many as 15 people experienced in Baxter State Park affairs and familiar with Governor Baxter's intentions in creating the Park. (Of the 15, three are permanent posts reserved for the Superintendent of Acadia and representation from the Baxter Family.) Members are appointed in two-year staggered terms and can be re-appointed after a break in service of at least 12 months. Criteria for serving on the Advisory Committee include: adding to the diversity, expertise, and talent of the group; interest in serving on the Committee as shown by attending previous meetings or volunteering at the Park; increase in geographic distribution; availability to attend meetings and assist the Park; no appearance of conflict or personal gain from the role. Anyone wishing to be considered for appointment to this Committee can contact the Park Director.

Advisory Committee members are expected to participate in any of a number of different activities:

Licenses

Publications

The online Baxter Store (www.baxterstatepark authority.com/store/index.html) offers many books, maps and videos.

Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices

• Central Office: 242 State Street, Augusta
• Mail Address: 135 State House Station, Augusta 04333
• Telephone: 207-287-4179
• Fax: 207-287-6775
• Website: www.state.me.us/ethics/
• Statutory Citation: 1 MRSA Sec.1001 et seq.; 21-A MRSA Sec.1121 et seq. (Maine Clean Elections Act)
• Director: Jonathan Wayne
  

Purpose

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices is an independent entity established to guard against corruption and undue influence of the election process and against acts or the appearance of misconduct by legislators. The duties of the Commission include the following:

Organization

The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor. When vacancies on the Commission occur, leaders of each of the political parties in the Senate and House establish and advertise a 30-day period to allow members of the public and organizations to propose qualified individuals to be nominated. The leaders of the majority and minority party in the House and the Senate each present a list of three qualified individuals (a total of four lists, each with three names) to the Governor. The leaders of each party in both bodies of the Legislature jointly present a fifth list of three qualified individuals to the Governor for the appointment of a fifth member to the Commission. The Governor appoints the members of the Commission by selecting one member from each of the lists of nominees. No more than two commission members may be enrolled in the same party. These nominees are subject to review by the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Legal Affairs and confirmation by the state Senate. Members are appointed to serve three-year terms and may not serve more than two terms. The Commission elects one of their members to serve as chair for at least a two-year term. The process for filling member vacancies is provided for in statute. The Commission meets monthly. Staff provides technical and administrative support to the Commission.

Anyone who holds any of the following positions cannot be appointed to the Commission: current membership in the Legislature, membership of the previous Legislature, declared candidate for an elective county, state or federal office within two years prior to the appointment, elective county, state or federal office, an officer of a political committee, party committee or political action committee. The Commission may call for the aid or assistance in the performance of its duties on the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Department of Audit, or any law enforcement agency in Maine.

Program

The Commission oversees implementation and administration of the Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA), the voluntary alternative campaign financing option available since 2000 to candidates running for Governor, State Senator and State Representative. The Commission administers the Clean Elections Fund -- a non-lapsing dedicated fund which finances the election campaigns of candidates choosing to participate and pays enforcement and administrative costs of the Act. The Commission distributes public funds to certified MCEA legislative and gubernatorial candidates each election cycle. For legislative candidates alone, the Commission distributed approximately $865,000 in 2000 and $1.8 million in 2002.

Commission staff distributes campaign finance filing notices to all candidates in the primary and general elections and processes campaign finance reports filed before and after each election. Staff tracks and files all such required disclosure and financial reports from candidates for state-wide and federal political offices, political action committees, party and leadership committees, independent expenditures, and lobbyists. Staff conducts limited audits on the reports of hundreds of candidates and political action committees. The Commission investigates complaints such as those concerning candidate campaigns, lobbyists, and legislative ethics. The Commission also rules on such issues as the lateness of the filings of candidates, political action committees, and lobbyists. The Commission refers cases to the Attorney General for appropriate action as needed.

The Commission publishes a Biennial Report containing statistical data regarding its activities and annual financial activities of candidates, lobbyists, and political action committees. The Commission issues opinions on the interpretation of the Maine Clean Election Act and its regulations and on legislative ethics (conflict of interest) issues.

The information available on the Commission's website is an invaluable source of information about campaign financing for public officials. The provisions of Maine's Campaign Reports and Finances Laws require gubernatorial, state legislative, county, and municipal candidates in cities and towns with a population of 15,000 or more to disclose their contributions and expenditures and to abide by certain contribution limitations and prohibitions. All campaign finance and lobbyist expenditure data is now available for public review online at http://www.maine campaignfinance.com/public/home.asp. In order to make the best use of these search options, it is helpful to understand the kinds of reports that candidates and/or lobbyists and other groups are required to file and how these reports work. Staff at the Ethics Commission can help and the website also gives some instruction. There are several options for searching, viewing and printing campaign finance report information. Citizens can use the options in the the following ways:

Sample Publications

The Commission offers extensive information through its web site; some of the publications, such as the Candidate's Guide to Running for Office in Maine, are offered as booklets. The web site provides information in these categories:

Candidates

Lobbyists

Maine Turnpike Authority

• Central Office: 430 Riverside Street, Portland
• Mail Address: 430 Riverside Street, Portland 04103
• Telephone: 207-871-7771
• Fax: 207-871-7739
• Website: www.maineturnpike.com/
• Statutory Citation: 23 MRSA, Sec.1965
• Executive Director: Paul E. Violette
• Government Relations Manager: Conrad Welzel (cwelzel@maineturnpike.com)
• (Members listed in Appendix.)
  

Purpose

The Maine Turnpike Authority was originally created in 1941 to facilitate vehicular traffic in Maine by constructing, operating and maintaining the Turnpike "from some point near Kittery to a point at or near Fort Kent." Presently, the Authority's primary function is to operate and maintain a toll express highway through its short and long term capital improvements plan from Kittery to Augusta.

Organization

The Authority is a quasi-governmental entity and runs its own business under the guidance of the state Legislature and the Maine Department of Transportation. The state Legislature does approve the Authority's operating budget. The Authority consists of six members plus the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation (or designee) who is an ex officio member. These six members are appointed to seven-year terms by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Legislature. The Governor appoints a Chair from this group. The Authority elects a secretary-treasurer and an executive director. The Authority's employees are completely separate from the Department; most staff work in highway, equipment and building maintenance or in fare collection.

Program

Throughout the years, the Authority has expanded, maintained and operated the Turnpike through its collection of tolls. The Authority's stated goals include:

The Authority website includes an online guide to the Turnpike Widening project _ the Authority's current priority project.

The Sensible Transportation Policy Act of 1991 requires that a 10-year Authority Plan be developed, and then be reviewed every five years, in order to establish the transportation, safety and public participation goals of the Authority. It requires, among other elements, alternatives analysis and substantial public participation opportunities for any major project, such as a widening. The Authority holds public hearings and public comment periods on proposed projects. For each 10-year plan, the public participation process is documented. The current Plan covers the period 1998-2008 and is available from the Authority. Although financially independent from the state, the Authority works in coordination with the Department of Transportation as is needed, and works with local Regional Transportation Advisory Committees and Metropolitan Planning Organizations on issues regarding changes to the Turnpike and the Authority and/or local transportation needs.

Licenses

Permits for loads and overlimits

Publications

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority

• Central Office: 75 West Commercial Street, Suite 204, Portland
• Mail Address: 75 West Commercial Street, Suite 204, Portland
• Telephone: 207-780-1000
• Fax: 207-780-1001
• Website: www.thedowneaster.com/authority.html
• Statutory Citation: 23 MRSA, Sec. 8111
• Executive Director: Patricia Quinn
• (Members listed in Appendix.)
  

Purpose

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (ABA Downeaster) was created to take all actions that are reasonably necessary to initiate and/or establish regularly scheduled passenger rail service between points within and outside the State, with emphasis on restoration of passenger rail service between Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. In 1991, the Passenger Rail Service Act directed the Maine DOT to carry out this mandate. Since the state cannot be in the business of operating a railroad, in 1995 the Authority was formed with its top priority being to re-establish passenger train service between Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. The Authority is responsible to operate the passenger rail service in Maine, advocate and acquire funds for maintenance and extension of such service.

Organization

The Authority consists of five staff including an Executive Director, and a Board of Directors of five individuals who have demonstrated an interest in passenger rail service and who provide the Authority with certain expertise required to carry out its mission. The five Directors are appointed by the Governor and have full responsibility for the development and implementation of rail service to the region. The Governor names one of the appointed members as chair of the Authority. Directors hold three-year terms with no limit on number of terms served. The Authority is funded chiefly through federal transportation funds (particularly for rail construction) and state money either from matches for federal funds or bonds. The Authority was set up by the Department of Transportation as an independent entity. The Department has final approval of the Authority annual budget and acts as a liaison between the Authority and the Administration. The Department of Transportation coordinates with the Authority and vice versa on many projects, such as needed repairs to rail tracks, design, engineering and construction of new lines, and other overall passenger transportation issues.

Program

The Authority has recently accomplished its first priority, the establishment of inter-city passenger rail service between Portland and Boston's North Station. The Authority is the operator of the train service, hiring Amtrak as a contract service provider to date. The Authority is now moving on to extend the service from Portland to Brunswick. The line between Brunswick and Rockland is nearlyrehabilitated (a project of the Department of Transportation) and will be connected to the Portland-Brunswick line when that middle section is finished in a few years.

Saco River Corridor Commission

• Central Office: 20 Maine Street, Suite C, Cornish
• Mail Address: P.O. Box 283, Cornish 04020
• Telephone: 207-625-8123
• Fax: 207-625-7050
• Website: www.srcc-maine.org
• Statutory Citation: 38 MRSA, Sec. 954
• Executive Director: Dennis Finn (srcc@srcc-maine.org)
• (Members listed in Appendix.)
  

Purpose

The Commission is a regionally administered regulatory agency with responsibility for enforcing the land use provisions of the Saco River Corridor Act. The Corridor consists of approximately 300 miles of river front including the following:

The Saco River Corridor Act that created both the Saco River Commission and the Saco River Corridor states: "In view of the dangers of intensive and poorly planned development, it is the purpose of this Act to preserve existing water quality, prevent the diminution of water supplies, to control erosion, to protect fish and wildlife populations, to prevent undue extremes of floods and drought, to limit the loss of life and damage to property from periodic floods; to preserve the scenic, rural and unspoiled character of the lands adjacent to these rivers; to prevent obstructions to navigation; to prevent overcrowding; to avoid the mixture of incompatible uses; to protect those areas of exceptional scenic, historic, archaeological, scientific and educational importance; and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing the Saco River Corridor and by regulating the use of the land and water within this area."

Organization

The Commission serves the following communities: Baldwin, Standish (Cumberland County); Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, Porter (Oxford County); Acton, Biddeford, Buxton, Cornish, Dayton, Hollis, Limerick, Limington, Newfield, Parsonsfield, Saco, Shapleigh, Waterboro (York County). Each of these twenty municipalities has a position for a regular and an alternate volunteer member to represent the Commission.

Appointed by their respective town officials, each member is appointed to serve a three-year term. While in office, regular members have full voting and participatory rights in all proceedings of the full Commission and its committees. Commission staff currently consists of an Executive Director, an Administrative Assistant, and an Environmental Compliance Evaluator and a seasonal coordinator who runs the water quality monitoring program. Staff provides support services to the Commission, to applicants, and to various municipal officials concerned with the Saco River Corridor Act, with the river, or with other state-related matters.

Program

In order to promote orderly growth and preserve water quality within the Corridor, the Act established a permit procedure for development activities within the statutorily defined corridor. The Commission reviews applications for permits and variances that are filed under provisions of the Act. Staff provide assistance to applicants both in developing site plans and in completing the necessary permit application forms. The Commission conducts regular meetings and public hearings to consider applications for permits or variances for development activities within the Corridor. Staff also conduct site inspections as needed. The Commission is in its third year of a water quality monitoring effort which has 27 test locations monitored from April to October by a part-time coordinator and over 30 volunteers. The Commission continues to coordinate any enforcement efforts with the Office of the Attorney General and/or the Department of Environmental Protection.

Licenses

Publications

St. Croix International Waterway Commission

• Canadian Address: #5 Route 1 Dufferin, St. Stephen, New Brunswick, E3L 2Y8
• U.S. Address: P.O. Box 610, Calais, Maine 04619
• Telephone: 506-466-7550
• Fax: 506-466-7551
• Website: www.stcroix.org / Staff@stcroix.org
• Operating Statute: 38 MRSA Sec. 994
• Executive Director: Lee Sochasky
• (Members listed in Appendix.)
  

Purpose

The Commission was established by the State of Maine and the Province of New Brunswick to coordinate the delivery of an Integrated Management Plan for the 110-mile international St. Croix River corridor. The Plan was adopted by the two jurisdictions in 1994 and establishes international goals and policies for management that seek to preserve and celebrate a corridor heritage, maintain environmental integrity and support the region's resource-based economy. The corridor includes two of the state's largest lakes, a 30-mile Outstanding River segment, twelve communities and the site of the first French settlement in North America.

Organization

The Commission is an independent, international body with eight members, four from the State of Maine and four from the Province of New Brunswick. State and provincial liaisons and federal observers also serve on the Commission. The Commission has two part-time staff. The Commission is a charitable, not-for-profit organization.

Program

• Environmental Quality -- The Commission is working with the Province of New Brunswick to set water quality standards for the Province's portion of the watershed. The Commission collects chemical and biological data on the boundary waters to assist the State of Maine and Province of New Brunswick to develop joint standards for their shared waters. The Commission coordinates the efforts of volunteers to monitor water transparency on nine major lakes throughout the summer months. The Commission also collects monthly water quality samples at 11 coastal sites for Maine's shellfish monitory program. The Commission worked closely with the New Brunswick government to develop Canada's first shoreland zoning program for a river system implemented on the St. Croix in 1995, and continues to work with public and private interests on both sides of the waterway to protect special natural shorelands.

• Fisheries -- The Commission is continuing two long-term initiatives: monitoring sea-run fisheries, and delivering a native salmon restoration program. In cooperation with government and local partners, the Commission has reared and released over 300,000 young native salmon into the river in the last decade. These are now returning as adults to give the St. Croix one of the largest salmon runs in Maine and one of the better secondary river runs in New Brunswick. The Commission is conducting pilot studies on the stocking of captively-reared adult Atlantic salmon to increase native spawning. It has assisted Maine and New Brunswick with research on smallmouth bass and other freshwater species. It has also helped to collect and disseminate information on sea-run alewives, a species that has raised contention on the St. Croix.

• Conservation and Recreation -- The Commission has worked with community and business groups, government agencies and land trusts to protect high-value natural areas on both sides of the international boundary, including 50 miles of semi-wilderness corridor along Spednic Lake and the upper St. Croix River, and 315 acres at Devil's Head on the estuary. The Commission assists in development planning within the waterway corridor. The Commission supports traditional backcountry recreation by maintaining remote campsites, accesses and portages along the waterway; it also participates in planning for trans-boundary recreational management.

• Heritage Recognition -- The Commission has developed the Downeast Heritage Center at Calais.

Further information can be found in the Commission's Annual Report available on its website.

Publications