Water Law Maine Access and Beyond

It is currently Sun Sep 5, 2010, 10:04 am

What your rights are. Access Rights to Public Water: Links for Anglers, Public Shoreline Access:Citizen’s guide to Ocean and Coastal Access and beyond. Updated.

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Please know; while we provide the following information and hope you find it helpful, information changes frequently. Please be certain to contact the appropriate authorities for any current information which may aide in keeping you informed, updated and safe, as to current laws and conditions. (Photo Brian Foley)

Access Rights to Public Water:

http://www.maine.gov/IFW/laws_rules/fishing/openwater/index.htm#access

Public Shoreline Access: A Citizen’s guide to Ocean and Coastal Access: http://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/files/pdf-global/04pubacc.pdf

Maine Rivers: http://mainerivers.org/

NOAA Weather Service Radar Maps Maine:

http://weather.noaa.gov/radar/latest/DS.p19r0/si.kgyx.shtml

Nautical Know How Safe Boating: http://www.boatsafe.com/tools/

NOAA North Atlantic Water Temperature Charts:

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/

NOAA’S Gulf of Maine Information Resource:

http://gyre.umeoce.maine.edu/GoMoos/links.php

Maine Port Authority: http://www.maineports.com/

Coastal Maine and New Hampshire Tide Charts:

http://www.maineharbors.com/ri/tideri.htm

Maine Boating Laws and Rules

(In effect as of March, 2009)

Maine Boating Laws and Rules [PDF]

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/index.htm

If you need assistance, Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife: (207) 287-8000.

If you would like to receive an official copy of the Maine Boating Laws and Rules by mail, please send your request by e-mail or call Maine Inland Fish and Wildlif at: (207) 287-8000.

Residents and nonresidents may obtain licenses from license agents throughout the state (sporting goods stores, many convenience stores, and town clerks), or online.

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/index.htm

Fishing Guide to Ocean and Coastal Law

Links for Anglers:

http://pearl.maine.edu/windows/community/Anglers_Fish/angler_links.htm

Lakes Guide and data:

http://pearl.maine.edu/windows/community/default.htm

Boat Launch Search and locations:

http://pearl.maine.edu/windows/community/Anglers

_Fish/angler_boatlaunch.htm

(may need to copy and paste the link above to reach the actual information for anglers)

Fish Species:

http://pearl.maine.edu/windows/community/Anglers_Fish/angler

_fishspecies.htm (may need to copy and paste)

NOTE: You may need to copy and paste the above (broken) links to actually reach the accurate page.

Maine Revised Statutes; 10654.

Harassment of hunters, trappers and anglers.

Chapter 909: GENERAL OFFENSES HEADING: PL 2003,

C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)
§10654. Harassment of hunters, trappers and anglers

Read: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/s … 10654.html

Current Ownership, Management, and Level of

Public Access Assurance

“Visitors and residents of Maine can access the coast for boating and fishing at a variety of places.

“People launch their boats at private marinas, state-owned boat ramps, and municipal-owned boat ramps. Likewise, shore anglers and recreationists using hand-carry craft (canoes, kayaks) use lands owned by private individuals, land trusts, municipalities, counties, and the State and

Federal governments to access salt waters for fishing and boating.

The following are the different types of ownership of boat access sites, and the level of assurance that they will be open to the public in the future. The highest level of assurance exists for State Sponsored Sites, and State Assisted Sites in which the State holds an easement.

1) State-Sponsored Sites: These are boat access sites acquired, developed, and maintained by the Boating Facilities Program in the Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands or acquired, developed, and maintained by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.Level of Assured Access: High.

2) State-Assisted Sites: Through a grant program, the Boating Facilities Program assists municipalities in the acquisition and development of a boat launching facility. The Municipality owns and manages the facility. In some instances, the State maintains ownership but the Municipality manages it. The State enters into one of two types of arrangements with the Municipality:

A) When DOC’s Bureau of Parks and Lands helps develop a site, the municipality will sign an agreement at the time of funding that requires public access be provided to everyone, regardless of residence. The agreement is for the lifetime of a facility, which is generally 20 years. An agreement calling for “fair and equitable” access for Maine citizens alsooccurs when municipalities receive grants for water access from the Department of Transportation or the State Planning Office’s Coastal Program. Level of Assured Access: Moderate to High.10

B) When the Bureau of Parks and Lands assists a municipality with the acquisition of land for boat access, it will get an access easement. This ensures the public will have access in perpetuity. Level of Assured Access: High

3) Municipal or County Owned Sites: These boat access sites are owned and managed by a town or county. Many are open to residents and nonresidents, but the municipality or county has the right to limit or eliminate access to nonresidents if they have never used federal or state funds in their development. Level of Assured Access: Moderate.

4) Privately Owned Sites: These boat access sites are most often at water-based businesses, such as marinas. They can limit access to the public at any time and charge market-based fees. Level of Assured Access: Moderate to Low.

5) Access on Federal Lands: There are a few access sites that occur on federally owned land, in which the land is leased to the State or the County. There are two such access sites in Edmunds Township — one Cobscook Bay, which is leased by the County, and one on Whiting Bay, which is leased to IF&W. Level of Insured Access: Moderate to High.

Along the coast of Maine are two national wildlife refuges, whose mission is to manage and protect fish and wildlife and allow for appropriate recreation, providing it does not interfere with the core mission. At the time of this report, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was planning a small carry-in boat access site.” Author: Rachel Carson NWF. Level of Assured Access: Moderate to Low.”

Continue reading here:

http://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/document … smoody.pdf

Please note the link for the above access ”law” link has changed and we have not yet verified the new link. 04/07/2010-admin-

(Information posted to wiredfwcmaine by Gunner)

If you need assistance, Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife: (207) 287-8000.

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