Maine § 6209. - Fee title; evaluation; legislative approval; authority to encumber

§ 6209.. Fee title; evaluation; legislative approval; authority to encumber

1.  Uses of funds. 

2.  Fee title.  Fee title to all interests in land acquired pursuant to this chapter must be clear to ensure that the State's interests in funding the acquisition are protected.

3.  Matching funds. 

4.  Payments. 

5.  Land evaluated.  All interests in property acquired with money from the Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund, the Conservation and Recreation Fund or the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund must be evaluated for rare, threatened or endangered species of plants and animals, exemplary natural communities, features of historic significance and other high priority natural features and ecologic functions as determined by the board, with reference to the best inventory data available to the State. Subsequent management by state agencies holding properties found to have such important features and functions must reflect the objective of maintaining and protecting those features and functions.

6.  Fee title legislative approval.  Except as provided in subsection 7, fee interests in land acquired under this chapter and held by the State may not be sold or used for purposes other than those stated in this chapter, unless approved by a 2/3 majority of the Legislature.

7.  Conveyance of an access easement across a rail trail.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, with the approval of the Governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, may sell or otherwise convey in accordance with Title 12, section 1814‑A access rights by easement across a rail trail acquired under this chapter.

For the purposes of this subsection, "rail trail" means a former railroad right-of-way in which the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry holds an ownership interest and that is:  

A. No longer used for rail service; and   [PL 2011, c. 278, §2 (NEW).]

B. Managed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for use as a recreational trail.   [PL 2011, c. 278, §2 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §5 (REV).]