Trump administration agrees to 'renegotiate' Maine's canceled Sea Grant funding

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will “renegotiate” the terms and conditions of the work to be performed by Maine Sea Grant “to ensure that it focuses on advancing Maine’s coastal economies, working waterfronts and sustainable fisheries,” U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Wednesday in a statement.

- BILLY KOBIN AND ETHAN ANDREWS

The Wednesday announcement followed a meeting involving Collins, the lone Republican in Maine’s congressional delegation, the director of Maine Sea Grant and other program advocates, after which Collins said she spoke with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 1st District, also sent Lutnick a letter demanding the Trump administration reverse its “ill-advised decision.” King and Pingree said in a joint statement Wednesday afternoon that the University of Maine “should not have to ‘reapply’ for funding that was improperly taken away from them in the first place.”

“It is critical that the federal government honor its commitment to supporting research and development in coastal communities to ensure the future success and resilience of Maine’s marine economy and immediately restore the Maine Sea Grant’s full funding,” Pingree and King said.