Land for Maine's Future Public Access to Maine Waters
General information
The Public Access to Maine Waters Fund is designed to "get people to the water." The LMF Board accomplishes this by funding the acquisition of fee simple rights to small parcels of land offering or enhancing public access to lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal waters. Although access is primarily intended for public use, commercial use may be allowed if it does not displace or disrupt public access.
Land acquired within 2 years of project application can be considered for funding. Municipalities are not subject to this time limit—land that has been owned by a municipality for more than two years (but never permanently protected) is also eligible for consideration. Please note—LMF funding generates perpetual obligations and protections, memorialized at the applicable registry of deeds. Please contact LMF for more information.
Funding details
Funding application timeline
Grant eligibility
State agencies and Cooperating Entities are eligible applicants for LMF funding. The Applicant is the entity that will receive funding and, if applicable, execute a Project Agreement with LMF. "Cooperating Entities" means those private nonprofit organizations, municipalities, local governments, federal agencies, or other bodies designated by the Land for Maine's Future Board, pursuant to statute, as able to assist the State in the acquisition or management of conservation lands of statewide significance or for community conservation projects.
You must be a a private nonprofit organization, town or local government, a federal agency, a state agency, or another body designated by the Land for Maine's Future Board pursuant to statute to be eligible to apply.