Whereas, seaweed harvesting is a summer seasonal industry and, in order to effectively improve the chances of harvesters for the upcoming season, certain measures need to be immediately adopted; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §571, 2nd ¶, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 782, is amended to read:

The Legislature further finds and declares that this public trust is part of the common law of Maine and generally derived from the practices, conditions and needs in Maine, from English Common Law and from the Massachusetts Colonial Ordinance of 1641- 47. The public trust is an evolving doctrine reflective of the customs, traditions, heritage and habits of the Maine people. In Maine, the doctrine has diverged from the laws of England and Massachusetts. The public trust encompasses those uses of intertidal land essential to the health and welfare of the Maine people, which uses include, but are not limited to, fishing, fowling, seaweed harvesting, navigation, use as a footway between points along the shore and use for recreational purposes. These recreational uses are among the most important to the Maine people today who use intertidal land for relaxation from the pressures of modern society and for enjoyment of nature's beauty.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §573, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 782, is amended to read:

A. The right to use intertidal land for fishing, fowling, seaweed harvesting and navigation;

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.