Maine § 1894. - Duties of director relating to public facilities for boats

§ 1894.. Duties of director relating to public facilities for boats

The director shall acquire, construct and maintain, within the funds available, public facilities for boats in the waters of the State, including but not limited to launching ramps, parking sites and access roads. Waters of the State include any waters within the territorial limits of the State and the marginal sea adjacent to the State.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

The director shall decide where to locate the facilities and which facilities the Department of Transportation shall construct.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

The director shall decide when hazards to boating exist and mark the waters of the State, within the funds available, by placement of aids to navigation and regulatory markers on the waters consistent with the rules provided in this section and section 1803, subsection 4.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

In carrying out the purposes of this subchapter, the bureau and its authorized agents and employees may enter upon any lands or waters in the State to make surveys and examinations it determines necessary or convenient, and such entry is not considered trespass.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

The director may make rules for the uniform marking of the water areas of this State that are not otherwise regulated through the placement of aids to navigation and regulatory markers. No city, county or person may mark the waters of this State in any manner that conflicts with the marking system prescribed by the director.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW).]

The director shall remove, within the funds available, minor hazards to boating when the director determines that removal of the minor hazard or obstacle is necessary for the safe passage of watercraft. The bureau and its authorized agents and employees, in carrying out the purpose of this paragraph, may enter upon any lands with the owner's permission, waters and premises in the State for the purpose of removing minor hazards or obstacles as it determines necessary or convenient in the discharge of its duties, and such entry is not considered trespass.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

If, after written request from the governing body of any city or town, the bureau either declines to mark a waterway or is unable to mark a waterway, then the governing body of the city or town may mark hazards to boating on waterways within its jurisdiction. The bureau is deemed to have declined to mark a particular waterway if the bureau does not respond to a request within 30 days.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]

The bureau may at any time reverse a decision not to mark a certain waterway or portion of that waterway and replace any existing markings in accordance with rules of uniform marking adopted by the bureau.   [PL 1997, c. 678, §13 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24 (REV).]