Bill > LD1724

Introduced Session

Resolve, Authorizing the Baxter State Park Authority to Convey Certain Land in Cumberland County Preamble. The Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 23 requires that real estate held by the State for conservation or recreation purposes may not be reduced or its uses substantially altered except on the vote of 2/3 of all members elected to each House. Whereas, certain real estate authorized for conveyance by this resolve is under the designations described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 598-A; and Whereas, the State of Maine, through the former Maine Forest Authority, acquired fee title to an approximately 228-acre parcel of land known as the Austin Cary Lot in the Town of Harpswell in Cumberland County through 2 conveyances; and Whereas, the first conveyance occurred in 1973 and gifted to the State by deed recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, Book 3496, Page 215 a 5/6 common and undivided interest subject to deed restrictions; and Whereas, the 2nd conveyance occurred in 1974 and transferred to the State by deed recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, Book 3524, Page 171 the remaining 1/6 common and undivided interest subject to deed restrictions; and Whereas, the deed restrictions on the property require that the Austin Cary Lot be used for a demonstration forest, wildlife management area or other educational and scientific uses for 99 years from the dates of the conveyances in 1973 and 1974; and Whereas, the Maine Forest Authority paid for the 1/6 common and undivided interest in 1974 using funds from the inter vivos trust of Percival Proctor Baxter, which were designated for acquisition of additional lands for Baxter State Park and additional lands, not for inclusion in Baxter State Park for recreational and reforestation or scientific forestry purposes, or as wildlife sanctuaries; and Whereas, in 1984 the Maine Forest Authority was abolished, and ownership and management responsibilities of the Austin Cary Lot were legislatively transferred first to the Bureau of Public Lands and then later in 1984 to the Baxter State Park Authority, which retains ownership and management responsibilities to the present day; and Whereas, the Austin Cary Lot is located more than 220 miles driving distance from the Scientific Forest Management Area in Baxter State Park in Piscataquis County, and 180 miles driving distance from Baxter State Park's headquarters and only physical office in Millinocket, and Baxter State Park has no staff presence in or near Cumberland County; and Whereas, the geographic distance of the Austin Cary Lot from Baxter State Park's headquarters and the Scientific Forest Management Area has for many years presented a challenge for Baxter State Park staff to manage the Austin Cary Lot; and Whereas, the Baxter State Park Authority manages the Austin Cary Lot primarily for the purpose of demonstrating sustainable forestry with the assistance of a contracted licensed forester and in the past has relied on other state agencies to perform land management activities at the Austin Cary Lot to demonstrate sustainable forestry; and Whereas, it will benefit the people of Maine to convey the Austin Cary Lot to an entity that has the presence to uphold the same management responsibilities that the Baxter State Park Authority is committed by deed to uphold. If the interest in the parcel is sold for cash, it will benefit the people of Maine to purchase alternative lands within Cumberland County that can be managed for the same purposes as dictated by the parcel's deed as a demonstration forest, wildlife management area or for other educational and scientific uses; and Whereas, the Baxter State Park Authority requests legislative approval to convey the Austin Cary Lot; now, therefore, be it |

Committee Categories

Cheryl Golek (D)*,  Mattie Daughtry (D), 

Governor's Action: Signed, Jun 9, 2025 (on 06/09/2025)

Official Document