Resolve, Authorizing Certain Land Transactions by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands

Preamble. The Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 23 requires that real estate held by the State for conservation or recreation purposes may not be reduced or its uses substantially altered except on the vote of 2/3 of all members elected to each House.

Whereas,  certain real estate authorized for conveyance by this resolve is under the designations described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 598-A; and

Whereas,  the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may sell or exchange lands or interests in lands with the approval of the Legislature in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 6209 and Title 12, sections 1814, 1837 and 1851; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Resolve 2013, c. 56, §4, first paragraph amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2013, c. 56, §4, first paragraph is amended to read:

Sec. 4. Director of Bureau of Parks and Lands authorized, but not directed, to convey certain land in Adamstown Township, Oxford County. Resolved: That the Director of the Division  Bureau of Parks and Public Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may by quitclaim deed without covenant convey for an appraised fair market value that is the higher of 2 appraisals or the highest of more than 2 appraisals and on such other terms and conditions as the director may direct certain lots or parcels of land, with a total of approximately 24 acres, to the West Richardson Pond Public Lot Association  individual lessees of each lot or parcel.

Sec. 2. Director of Bureau of Parks and Lands authorized to grant an access easement to the Town of Fort Kent across the Fort Kent State Historic Site. Resolved: That the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may grant an access easement to the Town of Fort Kent for the purposes of crossing over land owned by the bureau as the Fort Kent State Historic Site. This easement is required by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as part of the project to heighten and strengthen the earthen flood barrier along the St. John River and would extend the barrier to protect the Fort Kent Blockhouse, a state-owned National Historic Landmark, from future flooding.

summary

This resolve amends Resolve 2013, chapter 56, which authorizes the Director of the Division of Parks and Public Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to convey certain lots or parcels of land in Adamstown Township in Oxford County to the West Richardson Pond Public Lot Association. The resolve instead authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands to convey these lots or parcels of land to the individual lessees of each lot or parcel.

The resolve also authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to grant an access easement to the Town of Fort Kent across the Fort Kent State Historic Site to allow for strengthening and heightening of the earthen flood barrier along the St. John River and protect the Fort Kent Blockhouse, a National Historic Landmark, from flooding.