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
Governor Paul LePage
Conflict Over Land Preservation Confirms Where the Public Stands
Most Mainers want voter-approved bonds to be issued, not held hostage by the governor. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial If Gov. Paul LePage’s years long barricade of Land for Maine’s Future has proven anything, it’s how popular the conservation program is among a broad cross-section of the state. When the governor held 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
Time for Debate Over LePage’s Timber-for-heat Plan to End
By The BDN Editorial Board Gov. Paul LePage has insisted for more than a year that contractors cut more timber from state-owned forests and that the state use the additional revenue to fund heating upgrades for low-income, rural households. Fortunately, reason has repeatedly prevailed in the face of a proposal that has lacked a sound Read More
LePage Agrees to Release $5 Million in Land Conservation Bonds, Criticizes Lawmakers
The governor will issue voter-approved bonds for the Land for Maine’s Future program, which he has been trying to use as leverage to advance a home heating assistance program. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage said Monday that he will sell $5 million in bonds for the Land 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
Keeping Our Perspective
by Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM Executive Director I have been speaking with many of NRCM’s longtime members these past few months. They remember with pride how NRCM helped restore the Kennebec from a stinking industrial dump to a vibrant river that supports the largest alewife run east of the Mississippi. They remember when we helped ban 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
