Lawmakers to join public land group

AUGUSTA – Five lawmakers will join 11 members of state agencies and Maine’s private sector on a task force for management of public lands and publicly held easements in Maine.

The task force became effective through executive order Feb. 20. It was created to assess the current management and oversight of public lands in Maine in relation to the high level of recreation uses of those lands.

Efforts by the task force will focus on these four areas:

. Compiling an inventory of current management procedures of public lands and the recreational uses and access of those lands.

. Reviewing and documenting existing statutes, rules and guidelines that influence management and recreational use decisions.

. Gathering information on trends in recreation use and the supply of public lands in relation to demand.

. Identifying strategies and resources to reduce conflicts over recreational use and access.

The task force will submit a final report with recommendations to the governor by Dec. 1.

The legislative delegation includes Sens. Bruce Bryant and Kevin Raye, and Reps. Jacqueline Lundeen, Donald Marean and Thomas Watson. The 11 other members have not been confirmed.