Welcome to the Recreational Access and Landowner Relations Program
The job of director of Recreational Access and Landowner Relations was created by the 123rd Legislature in 2007 in response to ongoing issues between landowners and those wishing to recreate on that land. In general, landowners increasingly have been concerned about the respectful use of their properties, while recreation groups are worried that land will be posted as “off limits.”
This program is designed to support both landowners and recreation groups and to help them coexist in a mutually respectful, responsible and cooperative way. You are encouraged to explore the various web pages and links in this website as a helpful educational resource.
Cooperation is the Goal – Respect is the Means:
A note from the LOR program director
Providing education and outreach, the Recreational Access and Landowner Relations program promotes cooperation between landowners and land-users involved in recreational pursuits. It is my hope to work with both landowners and recreation groups to identify problem areas across the state and resolve complaints to diminish conflicts.
I particularly want to develop and oversee efforts to encourage responsible behavior by all land users through education, information, enforcement, and to create a positive message for all recreational activities. Helping to foster and maintain public access to private land and water resources for recreational purposes can be achieved by including the use of ongoing and new educational programs provided by various state departments and user groups.
As LOR program director, I am responsible for coordinating efforts by the state’s natural resource agencies, other governmental agencies, landowners, and other interested parties, to ensure that the tradition of appropriate public use of public and private lands continues.
I work closely with many organizations and landowners such as local land trusts and recreational clubs, the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, ATV Maine, Maine Snowmobile Association, Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine, Maine Farm Bureau, large and small landowners, and the various utility companies.
My goal is to assure a prompt coordinated response by public agencies or others to incidents taking place on private land and ensure a continued presence of field staff in areas where there has been a pattern of conflict. I also lead continued inter-agency strategies to address recreational access and landowner relations issues, including needed changes to rules, laws, or existing programs.
Please check out the recently completed redesign and printing of two new brochures, “Land Owner Liability Law” and “Access to Private Land is a Privilege not a Right”. We hope you will find these brochures to be useful and informative.
This program is a strong commitment at the state level to support a positive relationship between landowners and land users. Such a commitment by everyone will go a long way to support, sustain and nurture this custom of permitting public access to private lands for recreational pursuits. I intend to act as an ambassador to land owners, clubs, and organizations to develop relationships, understand challenges, and advocate respectful land use.
"Maine is rapidly changing, and the custom of public recreation on private land is cherished. It is a privilege that must be earned and never taken for granted." "We all need to respect, appreciate and thank landowners who allow us access to their lands for recreational pursuits."
Feel free to forward any comments or feed-back to this office.
Best regards,
Bob
Bob Duplessie, Director
Recreational Access & Landowner Relations
18 Elkins Lane # 22 SHS
Augusta, ME. 04333-0022
207.287.8091 office
Email Bob Duplessie, Director
www.maine.gov/lor
