Section 3-0313. Adopt-a-beach stewardship program  


Latest version.
  • 1.  The  commissioner  may  enter into stewardship agreements with any
      person or persons  for  the  purposes  of  preserving,  maintaining,  or
      enhancing  a  state-owned  beach,  shoreline  area or portion thereof in
      accordance with the policies of this chapter.
        2. The stewardship agreement shall provide that the beach or shoreline
      area be preserved and maintained in its  natural  state  or  managed  to
      enhance  or  restore the natural values it provides, consistent with the
      provisions  of  this  chapter.  Activities  may   include:   remediating
      vandalism and storm damage, picking up litter and trash, establishing or
      maintaining access or nature trails, providing interpretive services for
      school  groups  and  other  citizens,  and  otherwise providing positive
      benefits to the beach or shoreline area.
        3. Stewardship agreement with any person or persons  may  provide  for
      assistance  of  personnel, facilities and supplies of the department for
      the purposes of supporting appropriate activities under such stewardship
      agreement, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
        4. The department shall establish procedures  by  which  a  person  or
      persons  may apply for a stewardship agreement, and shall be responsible
      for working with  such  persons  to  identify  specific  sections  of  a
      state-owned  beach  or  shoreline  area  and  specific activities deemed
      appropriate for such stewardship agreement. The department may  consider
      factors  such as safety, environmental sensitivity, need, cost and other
      factors deemed relevant in determining which beach or shoreline areas or
      activities may be eligible or appropriate for a stewardship agreement.
        5.  The  department  shall  provide  recognition  of  the  stewardship
      activities  by  appropriate  signage  on  or  near  the adopted beach or
      shoreline area, and may provide recognition by such other measures as it
      may determine to be appropriate, including  but  not  limited  to  press
      releases, certificates, and newsletters.
        6.  The  stewardship  agreement may be modified in scope or altered in
      any  other  manner  at  the  sole  discretion  of  the  department,  not
      inconsistent  with the provisions of this section. The person or persons
      shall have the option of renewing the agreement subject to the  approval
      of  the  department  and  the  continuation  by  the  department  of the
      adopt-a-beach stewardship program. The department may immediately remove
      the signs and it may terminate the agreement upon thirty days notice, if
      in its sole judgment it finds and determines that the person or  persons
      are not meeting the terms and conditions of the agreement.
        7.  Notwithstanding  any  inconsistent provision of law, the state and
      its employees shall not be liable for damages  suffered  by  any  person
      resulting from the actions or activities of such volunteers.