(42)__Vernon S. Walker WMA - Newfield, Shapleigh - York County;

(43)__Weskeag Marsh WMA - South Thomaston, Thomaston, Rockland, Owl's Head - Knox County; and

(44)__Such other areas as the commissioner designates, by rules adopted in accordance with section 12701, as state-owned wildlife management areas.

2.__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.

SUBCHAPTER 2

FISH MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

§12751. Commissioner's authority relating to culture

and research

1.__Setting apart waters.__The commissioner may by rule, pursuant to section 10104, subsection 1, set apart, for a term not to exceed 10 years, any inland water for the use of the State in the prosecution of the work of fish culture and scientific research relative to fish.

In the waters so set apart, the commissioner and persons acting under the commissioner's authority in their respective fish culture and scientific work may take fish at any time or in any manner and erect and maintain any fixtures necessary for these purposes.__In no instance may the commissioner permit the taking of fish by explosive, poisonous or stupefying substances, except for the use of registered fish toxicants for reclamation purposes.

2.__Taking of certain fish. After a hearing pursuant to section 10104, subsection 1, the commissioner may permit the