MACHIAS – Public hearings begin today on a proposed state environmental permit to regulate pollution discharges from aquaculture operations in eastern Maine.

The Board of Environmental Protection will hear testimony from the public salmon farm operators and state regulators on how the permit should be crafted. Another hearing is scheduled in Bangor next week with interveners representing municipal interests, environmental concerns and the aquaculture industry.

The Maine salmon farming industry has come under scrutiny in recent years for not complying with the federal Clean Water Act.

The owners of Maine’s largest salmon farms were found last summer to have violated the federal Clean Water Act by failing to obtain permits to discharge feed and other potential contaminants into coastal waters.

The proposed Department of Environmental Protection permit would address pollution discharges from aquaculture pens, primarily fish excrement and unconsumed food. The permit could place conditions on the amount of fish feed that can be used, require the bottom to be monitored around the fish pens and limit the use of fish medications.

The permit is expected to be approved this spring or summer.

Maine’s salmon farming industry began about 15 years ago, but federal and state regulators never forced salmon farming operations to obtain Clean Water Act permits.

Industry representatives said they hope the new permits will make clear what is required of them.

Sebastian Belle, executive director of the Maine Aquaculture Association, said the industry supports a strong regulatory system.

“What we need to make that work more effectively is some clear and consistent direction from the regulators and workable permit conditions,” Belle said.