AUGUSTA - Legislation proposing fee increases for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses faced a public hearing before the Legislature's Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee on Thursday.

The bill proposes to increase fees by $2 for Maine residents and $4 for nonresidents to help provide additional revenue for Maine's Bureau of Warden Service.

"I am in support of trying to find a way to stabilize the warden service over the next year," said Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, the Senate chairman of the committee. Most of the additional funds would go to the warden service, but 25 percent would be distributed to the fisheries and hatcheries division within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Bryant said he approves of the fee increases because the wardens are not able to do their job properly without additional funding. Cuts made to DIFW through the budget have resulted in policy changes that inhibit the wardens, he said.

Maine wardens have been asked to limit their work travel to 60 miles per day due to the restricted funding and soaring fuel prices.

"What has happened in state government over the last three or four years is that operating funding lines have been held flat," Bryant said. "If you're working in an office using a telephone, keeping your operating costs flat isn't necessarily a problem. But if you're a game warden, your office is your truck."

The bill would increase resident fishing licenses from $21 to $23; resident combination hunting and fishing licenses from $38 to $40; nonresident seven-day fishing licenses from $36 to $40; and nonresident season fishing licenses from $52 to $56. All junior licenses would stay the same.

DIFW Commissioner Roland Martin testified against the bill.

"Before we consider increasing fees paid by sportsmen of the state, we suggest that a comprehensive analysis be conducted to consider alternative configurations of programs and services delivered by the department," Martin said.

Gov. John Baldacci has arranged for a study to take place over the summer to evaluate consolidation possibilities in the oversight of Maine's natural resources.

Bryant said he believes passing this bill will help the DIFW's chances of remaining autonomous.

"As we talk about combining services, I think the warden service being underfunded puts us in jeopardy," he said. "I'm not opposed to finding savings when you can, but I am opposed to combing the DIFW and the Department of Agriculture. By not passing this bill, the committee is putting themselves and the sportsmen in a very tough position for consolidation."

Sportsmen's organizations are split in their support of the bill. The Maine Audubon Society sent a letter in favor of the legislation, but the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine voiced opposition.

Rep. Tom Saviello, U-Wilton, offered an amendment to the legislation that would implement an Adventure Maine card for a $20 annual fee. The card would apply to people who "adventure" in the Maine wilderness but do not already have hunting or fishing licenses.

Bryant said Saviello's amendment was not likely to be included in the bill.

"We've explored that avenue before, and I'm not necessarily opposed to it, but that would be something you'd have to talk about for a long time," he said.

The committee is scheduled to vote on the bill next week.