2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 12: CONSERVATION › Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE › Subpart 2: DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION › Chapter 903: DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE › Subchapter 6: MAINE OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND › 12 §10309. Fund distribution criteria for strategic plan and grants

§10309. Fund distribution criteria for strategic plan and grants
In developing the strategic plan provided for by section 10308, subsection 5, paragraph A and reviewing and awarding grant proposals submitted pursuant to section 10308, subsection 5, paragraph B, the board shall consider whether a project involves:   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
1.  Fisheries and wildlife and habitat conservation.
For the category of fisheries and wildlife and habitat conservation:
A. A species or species group adversely affected due to lack of management or habitat loss;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. A species or species group that is adversely affected due to unusual vulnerability to human-made disturbances and requirements for a special or limited habitat type;   [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §74 (COR).]
C. Measurable benefits vital to the future welfare of a species or species group; and   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
D. Available matching funds;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
[RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §74 (COR).]
2.  Acquisition and management of public lands, parks, wildlife conservation areas, and public access and outdoor recreation sites and facilities.
For the category of acquisition and management of public lands, parks, wildlife conservation areas, and public access and outdoor recreation sites and facilities:
A. Public recreation opportunities of statewide or regional significance;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. Fish or wildlife habitat of statewide or regional significance;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
C. Habitat of a threatened or endangered species listed under state or federal law;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
D. Rare or exemplary natural communities or ecosystems as determined by the State's Natural Areas Program database;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
E. Lands or areas providing for public recreation opportunities of statewide or regional significance;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
F. Rare or exemplary geological features;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
G. Areas with proximity to lands dedicated to conservation purposes or public recreation or with access to lands or waters with significant natural resources values; and   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
H. Available matching funds;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
3.  Conservation of endangered and threatened species and their habitats.
For the category of conservation of endangered and threatened species and their habitats:
A. A species or species group listed as endangered or threatened under state or federal law;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. The habitat of one or more species or groups under paragraph A;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
C. A species or species group not listed as threatened or endangered but, based on the best available scientific information, potentially warranting listing in the near future;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
D. A species, group of species, natural community or ecosystem that has been documented as being in decline or recognized as being at risk of extirpation from the State;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
E. Any species, group of species, natural community or ecosystem thought in the best professional judgment of biologists to be in decline or in danger of extirpation from the State but whose status is undetermined; and   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
F. Available matching funds; and   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
4.  Natural resources law enforcement.
For the category of game wardens and other conservation law enforcement:
A. A species or species group adversely affected due to lack of management or habitat loss;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
B. Public health or safety concerns of statewide or regional significance;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
C. Environmental education for the public or law enforcement personnel;   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
D. Cross-training between natural resources state agencies; and   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
E. Available matching funds.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
The criteria in this section are not listed in order of priority. A grant applicant must indicate in the proposal the subsection under which the board should evaluate the proposals.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §74 (COR).