Bills to limit land grant buys fail to get committee support

AUGUSTA – Three bills to limit the scope of the Land for Maine’s Future program all failed to earn committee support Wednesday afternoon.

The Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee recommended ought not to pass by a vote of 10 to 2 a proposal that LMF purchases in excess of $250,000 be approved by the committee.

Panel members also expressed their opposition to a proposal that all land purchased with LMF funding be held and managed by the state by a vote of 11 to 1.

Another bill that would require state ownership of LMF projects, but allow cooperating agencies like land trusts and municipalities to take on management of the land, received a unanimous ought not to pass vote.

Rep. Henry Joy, R-Crystal, who sponsored one of the bills, argued that if the state is purchasing land for public use, it ought to be able to afford the full selling price and management responsibility.

When Maine voters approved the most recent $50 million Land for Maine’s Future bond in 1998, they specifically gave towns and land trusts the right to participate in preserving properties of local or regional significance, said Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Oxford, chairman of the committee.

“It’s simply saving money,” added Rep. Linda McKee, D-Wayne.