Coastal/Great Pond Access
What is Maine's Law on Coastal/Great Pond Access
12 MRS §§571-573 address the public trust in intertidal land. Access to the seashore has a long history. It is based on centuries-old English law and colonial ordinances and has been the subject of much litigation. An exploration of case law may provide more relevant information on this topic.
17 MRS §3860 addresses great pond access or egress. According to 38 MRS §480-B(5), "'Great ponds' means any inland bodies of water which in a natural state have a surface area in excess of 10 acres and any inland bodies of water artificially formed or increased which have a surface area in excess of 30 acres."
Return to What's Maine's Law on...
1/6/2026 A-Z List
The Law and Legislative Reference Library provides this website for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an interpretation of the law, legal advice, or a legal opinion. There might be other statutes, rules, ordinances, or case law that are relevant to this topic. For advice on a specific legal matter, you need to contact an attorney.