1. Fund established. To accomplish the purposes of this chapter, there is established a nonlapsing Maine Shoreline Public Access Protection Fund, referred to in this chapter as the “fund.” All income received by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the purposes of this chapter shall be recorded on the books of the State in a separate account and shall be deposited with the Treasurer of State to be credited to the fund. These funds shall be made available to the commissioner for the purpose of implementing the Maine Shoreline Public Access Protection Program, established under section 5203.

2. Expenditure of funds. All money credited to the fund must be used to preserve and protect public access to coastal shoreland areas in accordance with the guidelines established by the commissioner pursuant to section 5203. As provided in section 5203, not less than 50% of all revenue available from the fund must be disbursed to municipalities located in the coastal area, as defined in Title 38, section 1802. No more than 10% of the revenues available in the fund may be used for the development of acquired access areas.