By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — After some last minute wrangling, the Maine House voted to give all but final approval to $6.5 million in land conservation bonds that expired last fall. The vote was unanimous. A plan agreed to last week by the House, Senate and the governor gave the state Read More
Land for Maine's Future & Conservation
NRCM has been involved in the Land for Maine's Future (LMF) program for many years. Maine voters have approved land bonds six times since 1987.
LMF funding has protected public lands, working farms, working waterfronts, and more in all 16 Maine counties. Conserving public access to special places is important to the mission of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. We will continue to push to ensure funding for LMF and its role in protecting lands for conservation, recreation, carbon sequestration and storage, and wildlife habitat.
We Need to Let Land for Maine’s Future Make Good on Its Commitments
By Russell Black, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Early winter is just about my favorite time of year to be in the woods. The leaves are off the hardwoods, a few apples cling to the old orchard trees, a crunchy layer of snow is (usually) on the ground and, if I’m lucky, Read More
LePage’s Opposition on Conservation Program Begins in Augusta’s Backyard
The governor has released $11.5 million in Land for Maine’s Future bonds, but some conservationists fear his efforts to scuttle the Howard Hill project are not over. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The epicenter of the political brawl over the Land for Maine’s Future program literally looms behind the State Read More
LePage is Backing Down on Land for Maine’s Future. Celebrate with Caution
By The BDN Editorial Board Supporters of the Land for Maine’s Future program can breathe a sigh of relief. They can celebrate, but with cautious optimism. We were pleased to see Gov. Paul LePage on Monday back down from his refusal to release $11.5 million in bonds voters authorized in 2010 and 2012 for a Read More
LMF Board Speaks Out on Governor’s “Political Obstruction”
by George Smith Bangor Daily News column I wrote this column yesterday, before Governor LePage announced he would allow $5 million of Land for Maine’s Future bonds to be sold. He also said he would allow the sale of $6 million of LMF bonds that have expired, if the legislature revives them. However, the Governor Read More
LePage’s Bond Freeze Jeopardizes the Economy of Somerset County
The Cold Stream Project, negotiated with Plum Creek, is in danger, particularly in light of the news that Weyerhaeuser is poised to buy Plum Creek. By David Trahan Kennebec Journal op-ed On Nov. 30, the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel ran an article about the resurgence of white-tailed deer in the small rural town of Read More
Task Force Balks at LePage Plan to Divert State Timber Revenues for Home Heating
Citing constitutional restrictions, the commission spurns the governor’s idea to fund the home heating program with income from expanded logging on public lands. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A task force has recommended against using revenues from logging on state-owned lands to help low-income Mainers heat their homes, Read More
Money for Maine Goes Elsewhere When Land Conservation Projects Stall
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial With little explanation, the LePage administration has decided not to pursue federal conservation money the state has used for decades to maintain working forestland while ensuring public recreational access. This move comes after Gov. Paul LePage earlier this year essentially shut down the state’s Land for Read More
LePage’s Strange Grudge Puts Working Forest at Risk
Instead of accepting federal funds to conserve land, Maine will take its chances this year. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial The projects that have protected some of Maine’s most cherished areas are the result of complex work that can take years. The one assurance through long negotiations and tedious legal work is that, Read More
