§ 12 §10109 — Acquisition and disposal of land

1.
Acquisition of land; wildlife management and public access.
The commissioner may acquire property pursuant to this subsection for fish hatchery or fish feeding stations or wildlife management areas or public access sites.
1-A.
Acquisition of land; deer wintering areas.
The commissioner shall identify areas that are important to the conservation of deer in northern, eastern and western Maine, and may acquire these lands, including with funds provided by the Land for Maine's Future Trust Fund or the Conservation and Recreation Fund in accordance with Title 5, section 6207. These lands must be designated as wildlife management areas and managed with deer conservation as the highest management priority, and the commissioner shall ensure that appropriate deed restrictions are placed on the land that reflect these priorities. The commissioner shall also develop appropriate purchase and sale agreements that ensure that deer wintering areas on land to be acquired pursuant to this subsection are preserved as deer wintering areas prior to purchase. Beginning January 15, 2023 and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters on the acquisition and management of deer wintering areas.
2.
Acquisition of land; state game farms.
The commissioner may purchase suitable lands and erect buildings on those lands within this State necessary for the operation of state game farms for the propagation of wild animals and wild birds for restocking the woods and forests of the State.
3.
Compensation to landowners.
The owners of property taken under this section must be compensated for that taking.
4.
Unneeded property.
The Governor, on recommendation of the commissioner, may sell and convey on behalf of the State the interests of the State in property taken or acquired by purchase under this Part and determined no longer necessary for the purposes of this Part. The commissioner, with the approval of the Governor, may lease these same properties. The proceeds from these sales or leases must be credited to the funds of the department.
5.
Transfer of property containing deer wintering habitat.
Prior to final negotiations and legislative and administrative review of the sale of state-designated lands or an interest in designated lands that contain significant deer wintering habitat, the commissioner shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over conservation matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over inland fisheries and wildlife matters regarding the proposed sale. For purposes of this section, "designated lands" has the same meaning as in section 598‑A.

Legislative History

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B31 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 381, §4 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 409, §5 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 284, §20 (AMD).