Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7652, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 796, §6, is amended to read:

4. The Public Boat Launch Access Program. The Public Boat Launch Access Program, referred to in this subsection as the "program," is established in the department. The purpose of the program is to provide anglers, boaters and other persons fair and equitable public access to public waters that offer recreational fishing opportunities by acquiring lands adjacent to those waters and providing appropriate opportunities to access those waters. The commissioner may establish program priorities based on fishery management or other resource management objectives and may use for these purposes any funds received through federal programs intended to aid in the restoration of sport fishing and other revenues available for providing access to public waters.

The commissioner shall enforce certain limitations on the use of public facilities for boats pursuant to this subsection.

A.__Any watercraft launched from the boat launch located in East Winthrop on the northern end of Cobbosseecontee Lake must be carried into and out of the water by hand, and the use of boat trailers or similar equipment is prohibited.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the use of boat trailers and requires that boats be hand carried at the boat launch at the northern end of Cobbosseecontee Lake in East Winthrop. Under this bill, enforcement is specifically given to the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.