Maine § 12 §401 Maine's rivers

Maine Statutes

§ 12 §401 — Maine's rivers

Maine § 12 §401

Title 12CONSERVATION

Part 2FORESTS, PARKS, LAKES AND RIVERS

Ch. 200MAINE'S RIVERS

This text of Maine § 12 §401 (Maine's rivers) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Maine primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 12, § 12 §401 (2026).

Text

The Legislature finds:

1.Rivers and streams a natural resource. That the State's nearly 32,000 miles of rivers and streams comprise one of its most important natural resources, historically vital to the state's commerce and industry and to the quality of life enjoyed by Maine people;

2.Increase in value of rivers and streams. That the value of its rivers and streams has increased in recent years due to the improvement in the quality of their waters, the restoration of their fisheries, the growth in demand for hydropower and the expanding interest in river recreation activities, leading at times to conflict among these uses;

3.Use of rivers and streams. That its rivers and streams afford the state's people with major opportunities for the enjoyment of nature's beauty, unique recreational

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The Legislature finds:
1.
Rivers and streams a natural resource.
That the State's nearly 32,000 miles of rivers and streams comprise one of its most important natural resources, historically vital to the state's commerce and industry and to the quality of life enjoyed by Maine people;
2.
Increase in value of rivers and streams.
That the value of its rivers and streams has increased in recent years due to the improvement in the quality of their waters, the restoration of their fisheries, the growth in demand for hydropower and the expanding interest in river recreation activities, leading at times to conflict among these uses;
3.
Use of rivers and streams.
That its rivers and streams afford the state's people with major opportunities for the enjoyment of nature's beauty, unique recreational activities and solace from an industrialized society, as well as for economic expansion through the development of hydropower, the revitalization of waterfronts and ports and the attraction of both tourists and desirable new industries; and
4.
Policy.
That the best interests of the state's people are served by a policy which recognizes the importance that their rivers and streams have for meeting portions of several public needs, provides guidance for striking a balance among the various uses which affords the public maximum benefit and seeks harmony rather than conflict among these uses.