Resolve, Authorizing the Baxter State Park Authority to Convey
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1724
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: GOLEK, DAUGHTRY

Legislative Document
No. 1724
H.P. 1151
House of Representatives, April 17, 2025
Resolve, Authorizing the Baxter State Park Authority to Convey 
Certain Land in Cumberland County
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative GOLEK of Harpswell.
Cosponsored by President DAUGHTRY of Cumberland.
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 State of Maine, through the former Maine Forest Authority, acquired 
fee title to an approximately 228-acre parcel of land known as the Austin Cary Lot in the 
Town of Harpswell in Cumberland County through 2 conveyances; and
Whereas, the first conveyance occurred in 1973 and gifted to the State by deed 
recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, Book 3496, Page 215 a 5/6 common 
and undivided interest subject to deed restrictions; and
Whereas, the 2nd conveyance occurred in 1974 and transferred to the State by deed 
recorded in the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, Book 3524, Page 171 the remaining 
1/6 common and undivided interest subject to deed restrictions; and
Whereas, the deed restrictions on the property require that the Austin Cary Lot be 
used for a demonstration forest, wildlife management area or other educational and 
scientific uses for 99 years from the dates of the conveyances in 1973 and 1974; and
Whereas, the Maine Forest Authority paid for the 1/6 common and undivided interest 
in 1974 using funds from the inter vivos trust of Percival Proctor Baxter, which were 
designated for acquisition of additional lands for Baxter State Park and additional lands, 
not for inclusion in Baxter State Park for recreational and reforestation or scientific forestry 
purposes, or as wildlife sanctuaries; and
Whereas, in 1984 the Maine Forest Authority was abolished, and ownership and 
management responsibilities of the Austin Cary Lot were legislatively transferred first to 
the Bureau of Public Lands and then later in 1984 to the Baxter State Park Authority, which 
retains ownership and management responsibilities to the present day; and
Whereas, the Austin Cary Lot is located more than 220 miles driving distance from 
the Scientific Forest Management Area in Baxter State Park in Piscataquis County, and 180 
miles driving distance from Baxter State Park's headquarters and only physical office in 
Millinocket, and Baxter State Park has no staff presence in or near Cumberland County; 
and
Whereas, the geographic distance of the Austin Cary Lot from Baxter State Park's 
headquarters and the Scientific Forest Management Area has for many years presented a 
challenge for Baxter State Park staff to manage the Austin Cary Lot; and
Whereas, the Baxter State Park Authority manages the Austin Cary Lot primarily for 
the purpose of demonstrating sustainable forestry with the assistance of a contracted 
licensed forester and in the past has relied on other state agencies to perform land 
management activities at the Austin Cary Lot to demonstrate sustainable forestry; and
Whereas, it will benefit the people of Maine to convey the Austin Cary Lot to an 
entity that has the presence to uphold the same management responsibilities that the Baxter 
State Park Authority is committed by deed to uphold. If the interest in the parcel is sold for 
cash, it will benefit the people of Maine to purchase alternative lands within Cumberland 
County that can be managed for the same purposes as dictated by the parcel's deed as a 
demonstration forest, wildlife management area or for other educational and scientific uses; 
and
Whereas, the Baxter State Park Authority requests legislative approval to convey the 
Austin Cary Lot; and
Whereas, the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may sell, lease or exchange lands with the approval 
of the Legislature in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, sections 1814, 
1837 and 1851; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Baxter State Park Authority authorized to convey State's interest 
in Austin Cary Lot in Town of Harpswell in Cumberland County.  Resolved:  
That the Baxter State Park Authority may, upon a majority vote and contingent upon 
receiving any necessary court approval, authorize the Baxter State Park Director to convey 
by quitclaim deed without covenants, a parcel of land totaling approximately 228 acres in 
the Town of Harpswell in Cumberland County, which is known as the Austin Cary Lot or 
Austin Cary Forest, together with all appurtenant rights and easements located on that 
property.
Sec. 2.  Restrictions.  Resolved:  That the property described in section 1 must be 
conveyed to a person or entity capable of managing the property subject to the following 
perpetual deed restrictions for the benefit of the people of this State.  The property must be 
used for the primary purposes of sustainable forestry or wildlife management.  The property 
may be used for other scientific and educational uses that are related to these primary 
purposes and must allow for public recreational use that is compatible with these primary 
purposes.
Sec. 3.  Consideration.  Resolved:  That consideration for the sale of the Austin 
Cary Lot described in section 1 may be for appraised fair market value of the land as 
determined by an independent assessment of the timber and other values or for an amount 
that the Baxter State Park Authority, in its sole discretion, determines to be in the public 
interest.  All money received from the sale of the Austin Cary Lot must be used exclusively 
for the purchase of additional real estate in Cumberland County for the primary purposes 
of sustainable forestry or wildlife management and may be used for other scientific and 
educational uses that are related to, and must allow for public recreational use that is 
compatible with, these primary purposes.
SUMMARY
This resolve authorizes the Baxter State Park Authority to convey the State's interest 
in the Austin Cary Lot in the Town of Harpswell subject to certain restrictions.