Maine Citizens Who Depend on North Woods for Their Homes, Businesses, Jobs, and Recreation Come to August to Fight for Maine’s North Woods Heritage NRCM Press Release Today, leading citizens from throughout Maine, including the North Woods, gathered in Augusta to speak out about major problems with pending legislation that could spell the end of Read More
North Woods Protection & LUPC
The 10.4-million-acre Maine North Woods, which makes up nearly half of the entire state, is the largest remaining undeveloped forest in the eastern United States. The region is at risk of being lost forever, as rapid changes in ownership have brought unprecedented pressures – from development to heavy logging.
Opposition to LD 1798, An Act to Reform Land Use Planning in the Unorganized Territory
Good afternoon Sen. Sherman, Rep. Edgecomb and members of the Committee. My name is Lisa Pohlmann. I am a resident of Jefferson. I am the Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 12,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine in opposition to Read More
Coalition Concerned about LURC Reform Proposal Headed Off-Track
Maine’s North Woods Could Pay the Price NRCM and coalition partners Members of a broad coalition of conservation and planning groups are raising concerns about reforms proposed for the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) and how those reforms are being addressed in the Legislature. Maine’s legendary North Woods—the anchor of our forest products and tourism Read More
Coalition Concerned About Impact of LURC Proposal on Maine’s North Woods
Planners, conservationists, and citizens throughout Maine are concerned about the impact of proposed changes to Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) on Maine’s North Woods, and are urging the Legislature to examine the proposal carefully and think long and hard about the importance of Maine’s signature natural resource. “We are pleased that the LURC Reform Read More
Study Commission for Maine’s North Woods Criticized as “Rigged from the Start”
NRCM news release The Natural Resources Council of Maine and Environment Maine today expressed deep concern that a study commission on the future of Maine’s North Woods will not provide an objective assessment, but instead has been stacked with people who are determined to abolish Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC). The 13 members of Read More
House Endorses Flawed Study Process for LURC
Pete Didisheim, NRCM Advocacy Director “Maine people were poorly served today when the House of Representatives voted 75-65 to establish a flawed study commission on the future of the Land Use Regulation Commission. Lawmakers had two options before them – a Majority Report that we believe is rigged to reach a predetermined outcome of abolishing Read More
North Woods Supporters Denounce Bills to Abolish LURC & Weaken Protections
News Release Today, a group including North Woods landowners, foresters, a logger, a registered Maine Guide, and a planner denounced legislation that would abolish Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), saying the bills would destroy Maine’s North Woods, the largest undeveloped forest east of the Mississippi, by rolling back 40 years of protections. “The Governor Read More
Statement by Buzz Lamb, North Woods Camp Owner
My name is Buzz Lamb. I own land in two different counties in the unorganized townships, including a “camp” on Lobster Lake in Piscataquis County. I have been spending time in the unorganized townships for 68 years. I have been involved in state, local and county government over the years. I grew up in the Read More
Statement by Beth Della Valle, Maine Association of Planners, against LDs 17, 1258, and 1534
Distinguished Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: My name is Beth Della Valle. I am here as President of the Maine Association of Planners to testify in opposition to LDs 17, 1258, and 1534. The Maine Association of Planners, or MAP, is a statewide organization of approximately 100 members, including Read More