Bill > LD976

This bill establishes a working group convened by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to develop a comprehensive plan for enhancing public access to Swan Island in Sagadahoc County. The working group will include representatives from various state agencies, a municipal official from Richmond, and a local nonprofit organization focused on outdoor recreation, conservation, or community development. The group's responsibilities include identifying barriers to public access, evaluating transportation options (such as ferry services), assessing infrastructure needs (like docks, campgrounds, and educational facilities), recommending operational roles for state and municipal partners, exploring funding sources, developing an implementation timeline, and creating a detailed public access plan by May 1, 2026. The working group must provide public notice for its meetings and will submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by January 1, 2026, which may lead to proposed legislation. The bill allows the department to begin implementing the access plan before or after the January 2026 deadline, demonstrating a flexible approach to improving public access and resilience planning for Swan Island.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=976&snum=132