MSC’s Legal & Policy Position on the
Public’s Right of Seaweed Harvesting in the State of Maine
In January, 2007 the Council published the “Maine Seaweed Council’s Legal & Policy Position
on the Public’s Right of Seaweed Harvesting in the State of Maine.” (click to open .pdf) Despite
contrary belief, there have been many court cases which refer to seaweed which are referenced
in the document and a Table of Authorities (click to open .pdf) is also included.
Much more in-depth information on riparian rights is included in Mr. Slade’s new book, “The
Public Trust Document in Motion;” from the forward: “The Public Trust Doctrine In Motion” is a
great title for this book because it denotes action and movement, which is exactly what David
Slade captures in this book - the evolution and application of the Public Trust Doctrine to new
resource management issues and conflicts.”
Public’s Right of Seaweed Harvesting in the State of Maine
In January, 2007 the Council published the “Maine Seaweed Council’s Legal & Policy Position
on the Public’s Right of Seaweed Harvesting in the State of Maine.” (click to open .pdf) Despite
contrary belief, there have been many court cases which refer to seaweed which are referenced
in the document and a Table of Authorities (click to open .pdf) is also included.
- About the Author
David C. Slade received his Masters in Marine Ecology from the University of Puget
Sound, Tacoma, Washington, in 1978. His master’s thesis investigated the 48 constituents
of crude oil and their affects upon the interstitial bio-communities of the intertidal zone of
Puget Sound. Mr. Slade received his Law Degree in 1981 from Lewis & Clark School of
Law, Portland, Oregon, majoring in Environmental Law. In 1983 Mr. Slade became chief
counsel of the National Advisory Board on Oceans and Atmosphere in Washington, D.C. In
1986, he became General Counsel, and in 1991, Director, of the Coastal States
Organization, representing the governors of the 30 coastal states. In 1987, he participated
in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Phillips Petroleum v. Mississippi, involving the Public
Trust Doctrine, by drafting an amicus brief on behalf of the Attorneys General of the 13
Original States, a brief quoted by the Court in the case. This lead to his leading the team of
lawyers that research and compiled the first edition of Putting the Public Trust Doctrine to
Work, published in 1990; Mr. Slade was also the chief editor and author of the 2nd edition,
published in 1997. He was awarded the Distinguished Environmental Lawyer award in
1999. Mr. Slade resides in Bowie, Maryland. More information on Mr. Slade is available as
well as the SladeChild Foundation Charitable Trust.
Much more in-depth information on riparian rights is included in Mr. Slade’s new book, “The
Public Trust Document in Motion;” from the forward: “The Public Trust Doctrine In Motion” is a
great title for this book because it denotes action and movement, which is exactly what David
Slade captures in this book - the evolution and application of the Public Trust Doctrine to new
resource management issues and conflicts.”
Maine Seaweed Council
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