LD402

Moves the Natural Areas Program from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

This bill repeals the laws governing the Natural Areas Program administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and reassigns certain responsibilities under the program to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The bill updates relevant definitions in the Maine Revised Statutes, including terms such as "endangered plant species," "threatened plant species," and "natural area." It also establishes the Natural Areas Conservation Fund, which is administered by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.