38 M.R.S. § 418-A

This is the official text of 38 M.R.S. § 418-A, part of Maine’s M.R.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Maine, published by the state as "M.R.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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38 §418-A. Protection of the Penobscot River

Official statutory text

1. Findings. The Legislature finds that the Penobscot River is a unique and valuable natural resource. The Penobscot River serves as an example to the Nation that good public policy carefully implemented can restore and preserve our natural resources. The river has supported, and is again beginning to support, the greatest run of Atlantic salmon and 11 other species of anadromous fish in North America, providing a unique fishing opportunity for Maine residents and members of the Penobscot Indian Nation. The Legislature declares that the preservation and restoration of the Penobscot River is of the highest priority. [PL 2019, c. 72, §1 (AMD).]

2. Prohibition. To protect water quality and aquatic resources, fisheries and fishing opportunities, and as an exercise of the public trust of the State, no person, firm, corporation, municipality or other legal entity may erect, operate, maintain or use any dam on that portion of the Penobscot River downstream from the Milford Dam located between Milford and Old Town, except that portion of the river known as the Stillwater Branch, to the southernmost point of Verona Island for any purpose not previously authorized by act, resolve or operation of law, unless specifically authorized by the Legislature. [PL 2019, c. 72, §1 (AMD).]

3. Study authorized. [PL 2019, c. 72, §1 (RP).]

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.