(7) Constructed to avoid erosion and prevent runoff into an adjacent body of water.

Sec. 5. 38 MRSA §445, sub-§4 is enacted to read:

4.__Public pathway.__A developer of a public pathway shall demonstrate that no reasonable site for the public pathway exists less than 75 feet from the normal high-water line.__When a public pathway is located within less than 75 feet from the normal high- water line, is must be sited so that it is screened from the river by existing vegetation.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the shoreland zoning ordinance guidelines to provide for the construction of public pathways for recreational public nonmotorized uses such as biking, walking and skiing so long as those pathways meet certain construction criteria.