Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican who achieved the most remarkable conservation record of all of our presidents. By George Smith Kennebec Journal column April 29 was a sad day for this Republican. Sen. Roger Katz, of Augusta, also a Republican, was attacked for defending the projects and integrity of the Land for Maine’s Future program. 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.
Of LePage Bondage: Governor Holds One Bond Hostage, Proposes Another for State Buildings
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial Gov. Paul LePage has opposed many bond proposals during his tenure and is currently holding hostage bonds, already approved by voters, to fund land conservation through the Land for Maine’s Future program. So, the governor’s desire to borrow $112 million to rehab state-owned properties and build Read More
LePage’s Use of Bonds as Bargaining Chips Spurs GOP Infighting
By Mario Moretto, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A state senator known as a moderate on Tuesday called out Gov. Paul LePage for the “artificially created crisis” about voter-approved conservation bonds worth more than $11 million. LePage has refused to issue the bonds, jeopardizing more than 30 land preservation projects Read More
Group Calls on LePage to Release Conservation Bonds
WCSH-6 TV news story CUMBERLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Lawmakers, town officials and conservationists are calling on the governor to release voter-approved bonds to preserve land. They held a press conference in Cumberland Monday, where they raised public and private money to buy a 215 acre parcel of private land. The remainder of the funding Read More
LePage Pens Earth Day Letter to Obama Opposing New National Park
By Mario Moretto, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — While proponents continue their efforts to set aside 150,000 acres in northern Maine for a national park and recreation area, Gov. Paul LePage voiced his opposition to the plan in a letter addressed to President Barack Obama. A company called Elliotsville Plantation Read More
Legislative Panel Rejects LePage Department of Conservation Overhaul
by Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor Sun Journal news story AUGUSTA — A key legislative committee has rejected a proposal by the administration of Republican Gov. Paul LePage that sought to dissolve the state’s Bureau of Public Lands and fold its functions into two other agencies within the state’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. As part Read More
Committee Rejects Plan to Split Bureau of Parks and Lands
by Nakell Williams WABI-TV news story The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry rejected a part of the governor’s budget plan. It involves splitting the Bureau of Parks and Lands and placing public lands under forestry. Committee members say they didn’t get any supporting calls or e-mails from constituents. They also say they Read More
Maine Should be a Place Based on Laws, Not LePage’s Whims
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial Gov. Paul LePage was easily re-elected in November and he will no doubt leave his mark on the state and its government. However, this doesn’t give him license to ignore existing state laws or policies. After refusing to sign off on the issuance of bonds approved Read More
LePage Says He’ll Decide Which Land Deals Maine Will Fund
The governor reiterates that his decision to withhold bonds is designed to press for increased timber harvesting. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage said this week that he plans to personally review and choose conservation and public easement projects before funding them with voter-approved bonds. His announcement has Read More
