For Immediate Release
March 16, 2005

Department Seeks Nominations For Advisory Council

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
currently
has three openings on the ten member Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
Advisory
Council that represents the 16 counties of the state. Members of the
Advisory Council are appointed by the governor, and then confirmed by 
the
legislature.

Currently, seats that are vacant or will become vacant soon include the
seats representing the following counties: 
Androscoggin/Kennebec/Sagadahoc,
Cumberland, and York.

The Advisory Council works with the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries 
and
Wildlife to provide information and advice concerning the 
administration of
the department, and to review all rules being proposed by the 
Commissioner
and determine if they should be adopted by the Commissioner. 

Members of the advisory council are appointed by the Governor, subject 
to
review by the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife, and
then confirmed by the full Legislature. Appointments are for a term of 
3
years and a person may not serve more than 2 consecutive 3-year terms.

In addition to regular and special meetings, council members are 
expected to
attend public hearings on pending rules, as well as sponsoring public 
forums
to gather input regarding timely issues relating to inland fisheries 
and
wildlife management and the use of these resources.  Council members 
are
encouraged to also attend local fish and game club meetings, other
conservation related events, and exhibits and events sponsored by the
department.

Those interested in any of the vacant seats should contact Roland "Dan"
Martin, Commissioner, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at 284 State 
Street,
Augusta, Maine, 04333 or by calling 287-5202.