Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1801, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:

4-A.__Ecological reserve.__"Ecological reserve" means an area of land set aside for a period of one year or more on which human activities are restricted for the purpose of preserving a natural community type, habitat, plant__or wildlife species, providing a reference point for scientific evaluation or establishing or maintaining biological diversity.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §1805 is enacted to read:

§1805.__Legislative approval required for establishment of an

ecogical reserve

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, after October 1, 1999, an ecological reserve as defined in section 1801, subsection 4-A may not be created on land under the jurisdiction of the bureau except by a majority vote of the Legislature.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §7653-A is enacted to read:

§7653-A.__Legislative approval required for establishment of an

ecological reserve

Notwithstanding the provisions of this subchapter, after October 1, 1999, an ecological reserve may not be created on land under the jurisdiction of the department except by a majority vote of the Legislature.__For purposes of this section, "ecological reserve" means an area of land set aside for a period of one year or more on which human activities are restricted for the purpose of preserving a natural community type, habitat, plant__or wildlife species, providing a reference point for scientific evaluation or establishing or maintaining biological diversity.

SUMMARY

This bill requires approval of the Legislature for creation of an ecological reserve on land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Parks and Lands or the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.