CHAPTER 619

H.P. 604 - L.D. 827

An Act Regarding Wildlife Habitat Conservation

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

Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §1102, sub-§10 is enacted to read:

10.__Wildlife habitat.__"Wildlife habitat" means land that is subject to a written management agreement between the landowner and either the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or the Department of Conservation to ensure that the habitat benefits provided by the land are not lost.__Management agreements may be revised or updated by mutual consent of both parties at any time.__ Management agreements must be renewed at least every 10 years.__ "Wildlife habitat" must also meet one of the following criteria:

A.__The land is designated by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as supporting important wildlife habitat;

B.__The land supports the life cycle of any species of wildlife as identified by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;

C.__The land is identified by the Department of Conservation as supporting a natural vegetation community; or

D.__The land is designated as a resource protection area in a comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance or zoning map.