2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 201-A: GEOLOGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
12 §544-D. Maine Coastal Program

Part 2: FORESTS, PARKS, LAKES AND RIVERS
Subchapter 1: BUREAU OF GEOLOGY AND NATURAL AREAS

544-D. Maine Coastal Program

1. Establishment. The Maine Coastal Program is established within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and is administered by the commissioner.

[ 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF); 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, 5 (REV) .]

2. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Coastal area" has the same meaning as provided in Title 38, section 1802, subsection 1. [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

B. "Coastal management" has the same meaning as provided in Title 38, section 1802, subsection 2. [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

C. "Coastal resources" has the same meaning as provided in Title 38, section 1802, subsection 3. [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

D. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF); 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, 6 (REV).]

E. "State coastal zone management program" means the coastal management program originally approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in September 1978 and as subsequently changed in accordance with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 United States Code, Sections 1451 to 1466 (2012). [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

[ 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF); 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, 6 (REV) .]

3. Purpose. The Maine Coastal Program is established to manage and administer and to coordinate implementation and ongoing development and improvement of the state coastal zone management program in accordance with and in furtherance of the requirements of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 United States Code, Sections 1451 to 1466 (2012) and the State's coastal management policies established in Title 38, section 1801.

[ 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF) .]

4. Authorities. In order to and to the extent needed to carry out its responsibilities under subsection 3, the Maine Coastal Program is authorized to:

A. Receive and administer federal grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as financial assistance from other public or private sources, for implementation of the state coastal zone management program; [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

B. At the request of the Governor or the Legislature, or on its own initiative, prepare or coordinate plans, studies, technical assistance and policies to identify immediate and long-range needs regarding coastal management, coastal resources and related human uses in the coastal area and to guide and carry forward the wise, coordinated and well-balanced development and conservation of coastal resources; [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

C. Implement aspects of the state coastal zone management program and be the lead state agency for purposes of federal consistency review under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 United States Code, Section 1456 (2012); and [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

D. Act as the coordinating agency among the several officers, authorities, boards, commissions, departments and political subdivisions of the State on matters relative to management of coastal resources and related human uses in the coastal area. [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

[ 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF) .]

Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the powers and duties of any officer, authority, board, commission, department or political subdivision of the State. [2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW); 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 5 (NEW). 2011, c. 655, Pt. KK, 34 (AFF). 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, 5, 6 (REV).