Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7652-A is enacted to read:

§7652-A.__Public boat launch site

1.__Application.__Any public boat launch site created or substantially altered by the department on or after the effective date of this section is governed by this section.

2.__Buffer zone.__The department shall ensure that there is a minimum buffer zone of 250 feet on each side of a public boat launch site from the launch to abutting landowners' property.

3.__Local involvement.__The department shall work with the municipality within which a public boat launch site is or will be created to:

A.__Encourage collaboration and education about the public boat launch site; and

B.__Establish a local advisory panel for the public boat launch site.

4.__Navigational aids.__The department shall provide and install navigational aids on any body of water where a public boat launch site is located.

5.__Maintenance.__The department shall regularly maintain public boat launch sites and navigational aids created and installed under this section.

SUMMARY

This bill enacts measures to ensure greater local involvement in public boat launch sites, buffer zones between launches and abutting landowners' property and maintenance of the sites and the navigational aids that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is required to install under the bill.