The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife wrote a letter to the Town on June 11, 2011. In this letter, they explain the Department's policy to require boating access equity if fish stocking and management is desired by the community.
The Town Manager facilitated two meetings with Highland Lake residents and interested stakeholders in August and November. Francis Brautigam, MDIFW Refgional Fisheries Biologist, attended the November meeting. Copies of the meeting notes are attached.
This Public Hearing is intended to offer the Town Council an opportunity to hear directly from the MDIFW about their policies and the reasons for the policies. It will also be an open opportunity to hear from the public about their questions, input and position regarding the available options.
The Town Council will ultimately be asked to consider one of the following choices:
A. Support a boat launch expansion at Highland Lake which will permit larger boats and more boats through a public launch site supported and managed by the Maine Department of Conservation. Such action will also ensure continued coldwater fish species stocking and management.
B. Support the current boat launch in its current configuration with no expansion. Such action will force the MDIFW to enforce its policy to halt coldwater fish species stocking and management because, in their opinion, the boat access equity is not adequate.
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