Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §6201, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 506, §§1 and 4, is amended to read:

2. Cooperating entities. "Cooperating entities" means those private nonprofit organizations, municipal conservation commissions, local governments, federal agencies or other governmental bodies designated by the Land for Maine's Future Board pursuant to section 6203, as able to assist the State in the acquisition or management of conservation lands.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the law pertaining to the use of the Land for Maine's Future Fund and the Public Access to Maine Waters Fund for acquiring and managing significant natural lands in Maine. Current law permits distribution of these funds to private nonprofit organizations and other designated nongovernmental bodies for the purpose of acquiring lands. It also permits these nongovernmental entities to manage these lands. This bill changes the law so that only governmental entities may acquire and manage lands purchased with these funds.