Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7035, sub-§13, ķA, as corrected by RR 1997, c. 1, §9, is amended to read:

A. A program that supports landowners, called the Support Landowners Program. Twelve dollars of each $15 collected under section 7076, subsection 12-A is dedicated to the Support Landowners Program. The Support Landowners Program may:

(1) Offer a toll-free number for landowner concerns;

(2) From among existing staff, appoint a landowner relations coordinator at the Augusta office of the department and regional landowner relations coordinators at the regional offices. Regional landowner relations coordinators may be appointed only from the department's recreational safety coordinators and volunteers;

(3) Provide linkage with local conservation organizations, volunteer groups and advisory groups;

(4) Enhance enforcement of trespass, dumping and property damage violations;

(5) Provide educational materials and signs;

(5-A)__Develop, distribute and erect signs that direct anglers to water access sites;

(6) Coordinate with other related landowner relations activities, including Landowner Recognition Day; and

(7) Encourage landowners who only allow access to their property with permission to conspicuously post signs on the property indicating the name and address of the owner or other person with authority to grant permission; and

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the support landowners program of the landowner relations program in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to develop, distribute and erect signs that direct anglers to water access sites.