1. Findings and goals. Increased use has resulted in increased environmental impact on the Kennebec River and the West Branch Penobscot River, as well as on their valleys, nearby roads and the social structure of the areas. Recreational use limits are necessary to allow for rafting use and other competing uses, such as fishing, camping and canoeing, while minimizing detrimental impacts and maintaining the opportunity for a quality wilderness experience for rafters and for other users.

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

Attorney's Note

Under the Maine Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class E crimeup to 6 monthsup to $1,000
For details, see Me. Rev. Stat. Title 17-A § 1604

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 12 Sec. 12911

  • Commercial: means for financial compensation or other remuneration. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 12 Sec. 12901
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, 2 or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 12 Sec. 12901
  • Whitewater trip: means a commercial effort to transport passengers by means of a whitewater craft on rapidly flowing rivers, except commercial efforts by guides licensed under section 12853 to transport clients by means of a whitewater craft on rapidly flowing rivers while principally engaged in fishing. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 12 Sec. 12901
2. Kennebec River. The recreational use limit on the Kennebec River between Harris Station and West Forks is 1,000 commercial passengers per day. Noncommercial recreational use is not limited.

[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

3. West Branch Penobscot River. The recreational use limit of the West Branch Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls is 560 commercial passengers per day. Noncommercial recreational use is not limited.
A. In order to allow free time for other uses, a person may not conduct a whitewater trip on the West Branch Penobscot River between McKay Station and Pockwockamus Falls between 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §335 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]
B. The following penalties apply to violations of paragraph A.

(1) A person who violates paragraph A commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
(2) A person who violates paragraph A 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. [PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §335 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

[PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §335 (RPR); PL 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 655, §B335 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF).