Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment

ADVERTISE: April 23, 2025

AGENCY: 09-137 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 27 - Animal Damage Control Agent Certificate

TYPE OF RULE (check one): X Routine Technical Major Substantive

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER (leave blank; to be assigned by Secretary of State):

BRIEF SUMMARY: The MDIFW is proposing to amend Chapter 27 rules to provide clarity in the eligibility and standards to operate as an Animal Damage Control (ADC) agent. Changes will allow the Department to address factors such as geographic location, unique services, and changing levels of human-wildlife conflict in the assessment of certification of prospective ADC agents. Addressing these Departmental program needs will help meet the increased demand for services on Departmental staff and ADC agents that deal with nuisance wildlife issues and provide consistent, safe, and reliable services to Maine's citizens resolving human-wildlife conflicts. ADC agents certified as of July 1, 2019, may continue to perform ADC services and upon recertification is exempt from the examination requirements but must still meet the background and training requirements for that recertification and any future recertification.

Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the rule proposal.

Date, time and location of PUBLIC HEARING (if any): May 13, 2025 @ 4:00pm – Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 353 Water St., 4th floor conference room, Augusta, ME

COMMENT DEADLINE: May 23, 2025

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING (include name, mailing address, telephone, fax, TTY, email):

Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 353 Water Street 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; phone: 207-287-5202; fax: 207-287-6395; e-mail: Becky.Orff@maine.gov

CONTACT PERSON FOR SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT (if different):

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): No fiscal impact anticipated.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS 10104, 10105

SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):

AGENCY WEBSITE: www.maine.gov/ifw

EMAIL FOR OVERALL AGENCY RULEMAKING LIAISON: Becky.Orff@maine.gov