Sec. 1. Permanent river crossing. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 1876, subsection 1, Henderson Brook Bridge may stand as a permanent river crossing, only if within 180 days of the effective date of this Act:

1. The owner or owners of any right, title or interest in the site of Schedule Brook Bridge, including without limitation of any right or alleged right to build or maintain such bridge and any related or appurtenant rights, shall convey all such rights to the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands on behalf of the State. Upon conveyance to the State, all rights to construct or maintain a bridge at Schedule Brook are extinguished; and

2. The Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands shall convey the right to cross and recross Henderson Brook Bridge to the owner or owners who hold any right, title or interest in the site of Schedule Brook Bridge.

The Bureau of Parks and Lands may release any right, title or interest that the State may have in Henderson Brook Bridge to an entity or entities that the bureau determines appropriate to own, manage and maintain such bridge.

Any deeds or other conveyances contemplated by this Act must be in the form, and include such terms and conditions, as the Bureau of Parks and Lands considers appropriate to provide for the best interests of the State.

SUMMARY

This bill allows Henderson Brook Bridge to be maintained as a permanent crossing of the Allagash River in substitution for the potential reconstruction of Schedule Brook Bridge. In exchange, all rights to build or maintain a bridge at Schedule Brook must be extinguished.