Coastal/Great Pond Access
What is Maine's Law on Coastal/Great Pond Access
Public access to both the seashore and great ponds is provided for in the statutes. Coastal access is addressed by 12 MRS §§571-573.
Seashore
Access to the seashore has a long history and is based on colonial and English common law. Public access to coastal shoreline has been the subject of much litigation. An exploration of case law may provide more relevant information on this topic.
Great ponds
Access to great ponds is addressed by 17 MRS §3860. According to 38 MRS §480-B(5) "'great ponds' means any inland bodies of water which in a natural state have a surface area in excess of 10 acres and any inland bodies of water artificially formed or increased which have a surface area in excess of 30 acres."
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The Law and Legislative Reference Library provides this website for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an interpretation of the law, legal advice, or a legal opinion. There might be other statutes, rules, ordinances, or case law that are relevant to this topic. For advice on a specific legal matter, you need to contact an attorney.