A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER

Dear Maine Boater:

On behalf of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, I would like to thank you for choosing to boat in Maine. Maine has an abundance of beautiful waterways throughout the state, and it is up to us, as boaters, to keep them that way for generations to come.

As a boater, it is through your help that we are able to continue to provide access to waters across the state. Excise taxes collected from the sale of fuel; as well as from the sale of boats and fishing equipment help fund the acquisition, creation, and maintenance of access sites throughout the state.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has built and maintained over 100 boating access sites, and we continue to search for new sites in all areas of Maine. The cost of these sites continues to climb however, as the cost of waterfront property continues to increase, and the number of properties availabe seemingly shrinks each year. However, we realize the importance of our duty to create and provide access points, because we know that if we don't, access to Maine's lakes, rivers and streams will continue to dwindle.

This year, when you stop to refuel your boat, please remember that you are helping to fund boating access sites throughout the state.

Thank you for your help in providing access for all of us.

Roland D. Martin
Commissioner
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Back to Rules Index