Sec. 1. 33 MRSA c. 30 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 30

TRAIL EASEMENTS

§1581.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Holder.__"Holder" means:

A.__A governmental body authorized to hold an interest in real property under the laws of this State or the United States, including a quasi-governmental entity such as a conservation commission, a regional planning commission or a water or sewer district; or

B.__A nonprofit corporation including a land trust, the purposes or powers of which include the creation and maintenance of pedestrian trails for use by the general public, for the conservation or preservation of open space, or both.

2.__Trail easement.__"Trail easement" means a nonpossessory interest of a holder in real property for the purposes of creating and maintaining a pedestrian trail for use by the general public.

§1582.__Creation, conveyance, acceptance and duration

1.__Trail easement.__Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a trail easement may be created, conveyed, recorded, assigned, released, modified, terminated or otherwise altered or affected in the same manner as other easements created by written instrument.

2.__Right or duty.__No right or duty in favor of or against a holder arises under a trail easement unless the right or duty is accepted by the holder.

3.__Limitation.__Except as provided in this chapter, a trail easement is unlimited in duration unless the instrument creating it provides otherwise.

4.__Interest.__An interest in real property in existence at the time a trail easement is created is not impaired by the trail