Recreation Plan & Use Policy
EPI's stewardship goal is to preserve the wilderness character of the sanctuaries, leaving the lands unimpaired for future use and enjoyment, including recreational, aesthetic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use. To meet this goal, EPI is developing a management and use plan to maintain natural ecosystem and ecological processes, to minimize human influence on native species of wildlife, and to provide outstanding opportunities for solitude, recreation, and scientific study.
The public is welcomed to visit the sanctuaries for low-impact activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In general, EPI does not allow the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, aircraft or other form of mechanical transport within the sanctuaries. Exceptions are made for existing private rights, health and safety emergencies, approved scientific activities, and administrative tasks. Also, snowmobiling is allowed on designated trails. Hunting is not allowed on EPI properties with the exception of fair chase hunting (no bear baiting or bear hunting with dogs) on Hunt Farm in the East Branch Sanctuary and in portions of Barnard, Williamsburg, and Bowerbank in the Big Benson-Sebec Sanctuary. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
Travel and activities within the sanctuaries have inherent risks and visitors assume complete responsibility for their own health, well-being, and safety. EPI accepts no liability for any injury or damage to visitors' property while on EPI lands. EPI maintains no emergency services or emergency response capacities.
EPI manages its lands in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, specifically key regulations and policies set forth by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDP) and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), as updated from time to time.