When authorizing a noncommercial organization under this section to conduct whitewater rafting trips without a commercial license, the commissioner shall, when the commissioner determines necessary, place limits on that organization's whitewater rafting activities, including limits on the time and location of rafting activities, the number of persons that may participate in those rafting activities and the safety equipment required for rafting trips. The commissioner may reject a request under this section if the commissioner determines that granting the request would conflict with the river management objectives set forth in section 12903.

3. Limits placed by commissioner. When authorizing a noncommercial organization under this section to conduct whitewater rafting trips without a commercial license, the commissioner shall, when the commissioner determines necessary, place limits on that organization's whitewater rafting activities, including limits on the time and location of rafting activities, the number of persons that may participate in those rafting activities and the safety equipment required for rafting trips.

A.__A person who violates limits imposed under this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

B.__A person who violates limits imposed under this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.

4. Rejection of request.__The commissioner may reject a request under this section if the commissioner determines that granting the request would conflict with the river management objectives set forth in section 12903.

Sec. B-329. 12 MRSA §12909, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is amended to read: