An Act To Make Adjustments to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1882, first ¶,  as enacted by PL 1997, c. 678, §13, is amended to read:

The bureau may determine the location of access points, control stations and watercourse crossings , including, but not limited to, Henderson Brook Bridge, within the waterway.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §1883-A  is enacted to read:

§ 1883-A.   Revisions to plan

The bureau may not implement any revisions to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Management Plan without the recommendation of the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, forestry and conservation matters and the approval of the Legislature in accordance with the procedure for major substantive rulemaking established in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. For purposes of this section, “Allagash Wilderness Waterway Management Plan” means the plan prepared by the bureau and implemented in January 1999 for the management of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

Sec. 3. Maintenance of management plan. The Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, referred to in this section as “the bureau,” shall ensure that the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Management Plan prepared by the bureau and implemented in January 1999, referred to in this section as “the management plan,” reflects the following requirements. If changes to the management plan have been made that are contrary to the requirements set forth in this section, the bureau shall amend the plan to reflect the following requirements.1. Ramsay Ledges and Cunliffe campsites and access. The Ramsay Ledges and Cunliffe campsites and access to those campsites must be continued as provided in the management plan.2. Umsaskis Lake and Bissonette access. Access to Umsaskis Lake and Bissonette by motor vehicle must be continued as provided in the management plan.3. Snowmobile access. Access by snowmobiles to the watercourse is restricted to the 19 sites allowed under the management plan. Snowmobiles are prohibited on Allagash Lake and Allagash Stream. For purposes of this subsection, “watercourse” has the same meaning as in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 1872, subsection 12.

Sec. 4. Findings of fact. The Legislature finds that the Henderson Brook Bridge in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, which is designated as a wild river pursuant to the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 United States Code, Section 1273(a)(ii), is an approved watercourse crossing providing a vital economic link to the Town of Allagash and the surrounding areas by providing access:1. Timber harvesting. For approved timber harvesting operations of approximately 150,000 tons of timber annually, with an economic value to the region of over $6,500,000 per year;2. Employment. To employment for the residents of the region who without the bridge would otherwise be replaced by foreign workers; and3. Recreation. To recreational activities in the Allagash region.The Legislature further finds that it is in the public interest that the bridge be maintained, repaired or, in the event of serious damage, replaced.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands to submit any changes to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Management Plan, as developed and implemented in 1999, to the Legislature for approval. This bill also includes the Henderson Brook Bridge in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway as an approved watercourse crossing and recognizes the bridge as a vital link in the region, worthy of maintenance, repair and, if necessary, replacement. This bill requires the bureau to maintain certain campsites and access as provided in the management plan.