The Mills administration is anti-democracy when it comes to fish and wildlife matters. Every 10 years, state fish and wildlife agencies are required by the federal government to develop a state Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) in order to receive federal funding. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) is currently in the process of updating its plan.
A major component of the plan is compiling a list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). This list determines which species will get federal monies for management. Unlike other states such as New York which are soliciting public input, Maine is developing its 2025 WAP with no formal or informal process for doing the same. The SCGN list is being developed behind closed doors with no chance for formal public input. The only time the public will be allowed to provide input will be after the list is already made and the plan is a done deal.
Development of the WAP without formal public input or participation is business as usual for IFW. For example, IFW handpicks members of the Advisory Council, which is supposed to represent all of the people of Maine, not the department or just those who hunt, fish or trap. IFW regularly handpicks members of stakeholder groups and committees which typically meet behind closed doors with no formal process for public participation. IFW refuses to give those who do not hunt, some 90% of Maine people, a seat at the proverbial table.
If you support democracy and want to be formally heard before Maine’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan is a done deal, contact IFW Commissioner Judith Camuso and request a formal process for public participation early on in the process, long before the SCGN list is developed, and the plan is drafted.
John Glowa
South China
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