The structure of the popular conservation program should be changed so one person can’t stall it unilaterally. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial Members of the Land for Maine’s Future board have a right to be angry. For years, the program has worked without a hitch. A bond was approved by the Legislature Read More
land bonds
Conservation Deal for Forest Near State House Expected to Close in October
The Kennebec Land Trust plans to purchase Howard Hill, a 164-acre parcel behind the State House, with the help of a loan after Gov. LePage withheld voter-approved bond funding promised to the project. By Paul Koenig, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story FAYETTE — The plan to preserve 164 acres of land behind the State Read More
Unless Bonds Released, Hunting and Fishing Spots Could Make Endangered List
Our priceless wilderness might be up for bid soon because of Gov. LePage’s unceasing obstinacy. By Martin Grohman Portland Press Herald op-ed About the Author Martin Grohman is a first-term Democratic state representative from Biddeford. BIDDEFORD — I was lucky enough to get a moose permit this year, and I’ve already been scouting in anticipation Read More
LePage’s Land Protection Obstruction May Benefit Wealthy
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial One of the chief complaints Gov. Paul LePage has lodged against a popular state land protection program in recent months is that its benefits accrue mainly to the wealthy. “We ask the taxpayer — which is not the rich people — to sell bonds and give Read More
$6.5 Million in Bonds to Expire as LePage Refuses to Sign Off
by Christopher Cousins, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Approximately $6.5 million in voter-approved bonds for the Land for Maine’s Future program will expire later this year because of a decision by Gov. Paul LePage not to authorize them within the time frame allowed. The revelation came during a meeting of Read More
Crooked River Conservation Side-steps Augusta Battle
by Christopher Crosby, Staff Writer Sun Journal news story HARRISON — When Robert Carlson’s father-in-law was hospitalized in Portland nearly sixty years ago, he gave instructions for the young sawmill operator to watch over nearly 3,000 forested acres. A land owner and two trusts are close to signing a $1.37 million deal to set aside 800 Read More
Lawmakers Question Plan for More Logging on Maine’s State-owned Land
The adminstration’s plans for an increased timber harvest and reorganized land management get a cool reception from a legislative committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers grilled a LePage administration official Tuesday about plans to substantially increase logging of state-owned lands and reorganize the department that oversees Maine’s Read More
LePage Under Fire for Delaying $11 Million in Conservation Spending
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Two environmental groups said Tuesday that Gov. Paul LePage is again withholding voter-approved bonds that are earmarked for conservation projects in the Land for Maine’s Future program. The Maine Coast Heritage Trust and The Nature Conservancy issued a statement Tuesday in which Read More
Land For Maine’s Future Projects in Jeopardy as Gov Refuses to Authorize Borrowing
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story Conservationists say they’ve never seen anything like it. As many as two dozen working forests, working farms and outdoor recreation projects around the state could be in jeopardy even though they were approved for funding last year by the Land for Maine’s Future Program, with the advice and consent Read More
