Maine § 402. - Declaration of policy

§ 402.. Declaration of policy

In its role as trustee of the public waters, the Legislature declares that the well-being of the citizens of this State depends on striking a carefully considered and well-reasoned balance among the competing uses of the state's rivers and streams. Further, the Legislature declares that such a balance shall:   [PL 1983, c. 458, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Restoration of water.  Restore waters to a condition clean enough to allow fishing and swimming in all our rivers and streams;

2.  Revitalization of waterfronts.  Revitalize waterfronts and ports;

3.  Maintenance of scenic beauty.  Maintain, even in areas where development occurs, the scenic beauty and character of our rivers;

4.  Interests of riparian owners.  Recognize and respect the rightful interests of riparian owners;

5.  Increase hydroelectric power.  Increase the hydroelectric power available to replace foreign oil in the State;

6.  Hydropower development.  Streamline procedures to facilitate hydropower development under reasoned environmental, technical and public safety constraints;

7.  Fisheries.  Restore anadromous fisheries and improve the productivity of inland fisheries;

8.  Recreation.  Expand the opportunities for outdoor recreation; and

9.  Outstanding river stretches.  Protect the special resource values of the flowing waters and shorelands of the State's most outstanding river stretches, as identified by the former Department of Conservation's 1982 Maine Rivers Study and as specifically delineated in this chapter.

Further, the Legislature finds that with careful planning our foreseeable needs for all of these uses may be reasonably integrated harmoniously with one another on the state's 32,000 miles of rivers and streams.   [PL 1983, c. 458, §1 (NEW).]