Maine has found itself in a bind over how to reign in floating cabins that are blocking millionaire homeowners' waterfront views and clogging the state's many lakes, ponds and rivers. Many of the structures, which are increasingly popping up, aren't houseboats because they don't have motors. Instead, they are anchored to lakebeds or tied to the shore. They're often fitted with decks, planter boxes, and even second stories. It’s bad enough that they’re creating congestion at public docks and boat ramps, some state officials say the structures pose pollution risks, with some speculating that their inhabitants are dumping sewage into the water. Because they're not on land, the cabins are exempt from typical private property laws and shore regulations that govern pollution. Maine also doesn't have a clear definition of what is and is not a boat, meaning floating cabins are in a regulatory gray area and cannot be removed. Now it appears that Maine lawmakers are set to tackle the floating cabins in the next legislative session. There is a strong need to define and regulate the non-water-dependent floating structures in order to protect Maine's waters, and this will take a collaborative approach involving the public, the Legislature and various state agencies.
