Maine assigns natural areas work to its fish and wildlife agency

Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife handles natural areas records, research, and voluntary conservation work. The work covers natural areas on public and private land, including places with rare plants, animals, and important habitats. The funding transfer includes $484,422 from the General Fund, $312,320 in federal funds, and $907,901 in other special revenue funds. Conservation agreements with landowners are voluntary, and the official threatened and endangered plant list is for information. The staff and funding transfers apply to fiscal year 2026–27. The department must report to lawmakers on the reassignment by November 4, 2026.

The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife cannot adopt plant protection rules under the natural areas law unless fish or wildlife conservation requires them. The restriction applies to rules protecting plants and plant communities under the natural areas research and management law. The exception covers rules needed to conserve rare, threatened, or endangered fish or wildlife. The department must report to lawmakers on the restriction's effects by February 15, 2029. The restriction expires on September 30, 2029.

The fish and wildlife commissioner administers the Natural Areas Conservation Fund and may award research grants from it. The account supports research, conservation, and management of native plants and natural areas, including staff costs. The fund may receive donations, grants, fees, and other income. Money stays in the fund across budget years and cannot move to another state fund unless the law allows it. People, organizations, and public agencies may receive grants for inventories and research; awards are not guaranteed. The $500 allocation applies to fiscal year 2026–27.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may redirect unused salary money to stilt grass control and an update of the official threatened and endangered plant list. The money is for early detection and rapid action to eradicate invasive stilt grass and for updating the state's plant list. Transfers may use only available General Fund salary money left after salary, benefit, and other obligations are met. Each transfer needs the State Budget Officer's recommendation and the Governor's approval. Both transfer authorizations apply to fiscal year 2026–27.

The fish and wildlife commissioner may withhold plant and natural area locations when disclosure would threaten their existence. The provision covers locations of plants, plant subspecies, and natural areas and their features. The commissioner must judge that disclosure would threaten the species or natural area. Information cannot be withheld from usual environmental reviews by local, state, or federal regulatory agencies.