An Act To Reestablish Recreational Use of a Historic Trolley Line in the Town of Gray
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1478
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: BREEN, AUSTIN, DIAMOND, COREY, ESPLING, FECTEAU, GOLDEN

Legislative Document 
No. 1478 
S.P. 576 
In Senate, December 18, 2015 
An Act To Reestablish Recreational Use of a Historic Trolley Line in 
the Town of Gray 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2015.  Referred to the Committee 
on Environment and Natural Resources pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator BREEN of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative AUSTIN of Gray and 
Senator: DIAMOND of Cumberland, Representatives: COREY of Windham, ESPLING of 
New Gloucester, FECTEAU of Biddeford, GOLDEN of Lewiston. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, current law provides permit requirements for areas within the shoreland 
zone and areas subject to the Natural Resources Protection Act; and 
Whereas, the reestablishment of a historic electric trolley line within those areas in 
the Town of Gray is proposed; and 
Whereas, the reestablishment of the trolley line will require an exemption from 
certain shoreland zone and Natural Resources Protection Act requirements; and 
Whereas, the reestablishment of the trolley line will provide a statewide historic 
preservation project; and 
Whereas, the reestablishment of the trolley line will take place within a tax 
increment financing district that provides economic development for a large region; and 
Whereas, enactment of this legislation before the expiration of the 90-day period is 
necessary to ensure that the reestablishment of the trolley line can be undertaken in a 
timely manner; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  Exemption from shoreland zoning setback requirements and 
vegetation clearing standards for narrow gauge railroad.  Notwithstanding the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 439-A, subsections 4 and 6, for the purpose of 
operating the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum, a nonprofit 
organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986, the Town of Gray may adopt an ordinance that exempts from the setback 
requirements and vegetation clearing standards otherwise applicable under Title 38, 
section 439-A, subsections 4 and 6 certain strips of land known as the railroad corridor of 
the former Portland, Gray and Lewiston Railroad located between Long Hill Road and 
Yarmouth Road in the Town of Gray, Cumberland County and being the same premises 
depicted on the Town of Gray Tax Map 59, Block 31, Lot 16 and described in a deed 
recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, Book 31701, Page 37. 
Sec. 2.  Exemption from Natural Resources Protection Act for narrow 
gauge railroad.  Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 480-C, 
a permit is not required for the altering of a freshwater wetland for the purpose of clearing 
vegetation associated with the operation of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company 
and Museum, a nonprofit organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, on certain strips of land known as the railroad corridor of 
the former Portland, Gray and Lewiston Railroad located between Long Hill Road and 
Yarmouth Road in the Town of Gray, Cumberland County and being the same premises 
depicted on the Town of Gray Tax Map 59, Block 31, Lot 16 and described in a deed 
recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, Book 31701, Page 37. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill allows the Town of Gray to exempt certain strips of land from shoreland 
zoning setback requirements and vegetation clearing standards for the purpose of 
operating the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum. The bill also 
exempts those strips of land from the requirement to obtain a Natural Resources 
Protection Act permit for the clearing of vegetation associated with the operation of the 
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum.