River management objectives

12 M.R.S. § 12903, under Chapter 929.

12 M.R.S. § 12903

The following objectives are established for management of rapidly flowing rivers for the benefit of the people of the State: [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

1. Safety and health requirements. To ensure that safety and health requirements are met by all river users;

2. Minimize environmental impact. To minimize environmental impact on the rivers and the river corridors, including access roads;

3. Recreational use. To allow a reasonable level of recreational use;

4. Quality wilderness experience. To maintain a quality wilderness experience on the rivers;

5. Multiple uses. To minimize conflicts between different uses of the rivers in order to allow for multiple use;

6. Diversity of whitewater experiences and services. To encourage a diversity of whitewater trip experiences and services;

7. River use and impact. To monitor river use and its impact;

8. Communication. To encourage open communication with all river users, both groups and individuals, on river management matters; and

9. System of allocating river use. To provide a system of allocating river use that is simple and fair and that meets the specific goals of section 12913.