Sec. B-6. Maine working waterfront protection pilot program.

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

A. "Board" means the Land for Maine's Future Board.

B. "Commercial fisheries business" means any enterprise directly or indirectly concerned with the commercial harvest of wild or aquacultured fish or shellfish. Commercial fisheries businesses include without limitation commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, individuals and businesses providing direct services to commercial fishermen and aquaculturists, fishermen's cooperatives and municipal and private piers and wharves operated to provide waterfront access to commercial fishermen and aquaculturists.

C. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Marine Resources.

D. "Department" means the Department of Marine Resources.

E. "Pilot program" means the Maine Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program.

2. Pilot program established; administration. The Maine Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program is established to provide protection to strategically significant working waterfront properties whose continued availability to commercial fisheries businesses is essential to the long-term future of this economic sector. The department shall administer the pilot program either directly or by contract with a suitable organization.

3. Review panel. The department shall organize a review panel to advise the commissioner in the operation of the pilot program, including without limitation evaluating and recommending to the department applicants for participation in the pilot program.

4. Selection criteria. The department shall develop selection criteria with which to evaluate applications for investment in protected working waterfront properties. The selection criteria must include, without limitation: