For Immediate Release
July 1, 2005

Warden Service Unveils Aggressive Boating Law Enforcement Campaign

	NAPLES, Maine - Along the shores of Long Lake this morning, Colonel
Thomas Santaguida, Chief of the Maine Warden Service, announced that 
the
Maine Warden Service will be conducting and aggressive boating law
enforcement campaign designed to reduce the number of boating 
complaints,
accidents and fatalities in this region.

"This year, in an attempt to counter the growing boating problems and
related complaints, we have developed an enhanced enforcement plan for 
the
summer for this region," said Santaguida, "Our Game Wardens will be 
assigned
from all over Maine throughout the summer at key times to specifically 
look
for boating violators and if appropriate, summons or arrest them."

Over the past few years, the Sebago - Long Lake Region has been the 
source
of repeat and growing complaints regarding unsafe boating, violations 
of
boating laws pertaining to safe operation, drunk boating and noise 
limit
violations for watercraft engines.

"During the course of the summer, these enhanced patrols will continue
during peak boating times - weekends, hot weather periods and evenings. 
In
all, we will have 87 additional warden patrols for the region during 
these
times," said Santaguida. The Warden Service will supplement regular 
patrol
shifts with Game Wardens from other parts of the State where there is 
not as
much boating activity.

Maine's boating season begins in July, and the July Fourth Holiday 
weekend
brings a high volume of recreational boating traffic to Maine's waters. 
The
Maine Warden Service oversees the enforcement of laws and rules 
pertaining
to watercraft as well as the safety of all boaters on the inland 
waterways
of the state.

This enforcement program will include the use of conventional 
watercraft,
personal watercraft and the use of aircraft to monitor and patrol 
Maine's
inland waterways. 

"Hopefully our enhanced efforts this boating season will serve their 
purpose
and result in a higher degree of compliance with our boating laws, 
reduce
noise related violations by boats and create a safer and more peaceful 
lake
environment in this region," said Santaguida.

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