I attended the LURC study commission meeting on Thursday in Greenville. Commission members reached consensus on several proposals that we believe threaten LURC’s ability to protect the integrity of the North Woods. For example, they are currently considering letting counties “opt-out” of LURC, which could lead to a lack of uniform protections, a tax shift onto county residents, and piecemeal development across the area. Many thanks to Maine citizens, including NRCM members, who came and spoke passionately about the importance of keeping a statewide focus on the North Woods. The commission has one more meeting on December 1 in Bangor where it will grapple with how and whether to acknowledge the statewide significance of Maine’s North Woods, and the “adjacency” rules that protect the core of the North Woods, while allowing development near existing roads and other development. These are two critical issues NRCM will be working on so we can continue protections for the largest remaining forest in the east, and the people, jobs, wildlife and ecosystems that depend on this precious resource. Please visit our blogs and website often to stay informed.
About Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM CEO
Lisa Pohlmann brings to her leadership role a deep passion for the environment and a strong history of advocacy for the people of Maine. Lisa joined the NRCM team in 2000 as a member of the Board of Directors, later serving as board president. She has been the CEO since 2011. She has a Doctorate from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. Lisa enjoys big-picture thinking and has a knack for engaging NRCM’s staff, board, and others in exploring opportunities and innovative ideas for protecting Maine’s beautiful environment. A resident of Jefferson, Lisa has had a lifelong love of the outdoors, and regularly kayaks, hikes, skis, and camps across Maine. Her favorite way to enjoy Maine is in a kayak or canoe on a river and has paddled the Allagash, Moose, Narraguagus, Kennebec, Penobscot, Sheepscot, Cobboseecontee Stream, St George, and East and West Branches of the Penobscot, and the lovely, marshy outlet streams of many Maine lakes.
Thank you for the update. Don’t give up!