Land question has ‘fairly good’ shot on Nov. 8

Funding for prospective projects of the Land for Maine’s Future program is being left in the hands of voters in the Nov. 8 election.

Although there still is some money available for projects that already have been approved, the program is relying on voters to pass Question 5 to fund future endeavors.

“If we don’t pass this bond, this program can be dead in the water and we’re going to lose that momentum,” Bruce Kidman, communications director for The Nature Conservancy of Brunswick, said during a recent visit with the editorial board of the Bangor Daily News.

Since it began in 1987, LMF has made possible 120 land conservation projects throughout the state. A coalition that supports the program includes nearly 300 Maine businesses and organizations.

If passed, the referendum item would earmark $12 million to buy land and conservation easements statewide through LMF.

Voters previously have approved two bonds for LMF projects: a $35 million bond in 1987; and a $50 million bond in 1999.

James Melcher, associate professor of political science at the University of Maine Farmington, says the chances of another LMF bond passing this year are “fairly good,” though there is “slightly less chance of [Question 5] passing than other things.

“I think the things that are more tied to economic development or education sometimes do a little bit better,” Melcher said.

This referendum item was beat up in the Legislature, he added, noting that some people thought it was asking for too much money, while others said it wasn’t enough.

A $2 million chunk of the $12 million bond would be used for a pilot program to help fishermen buy commercial facilities such as wharves and warehouses.

“As far as we know, this is the first time anywhere this project has been attempted,” Kidman said.

As coastline property rapidly is being bought up by private individuals, access to shoreline property that’s important to the state’s commercial fishing industry is becoming scarce.

Fishermen would have to apply for the grant money and the applications then would be reviewed by the Department of Marine Resources.

The final decision on who receives funding would be left up to the LMF board of trustees.

“What’s so important about Question 5 is that all the funds go to areas that will provide permanent public access,” Bucky Owen, the former commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said in a recent press release. “If you’re a Mainer concerned with preserving the state’s best areas to hunt, fish, hike and snowmobile, Question 5 is a must.”

Question 5

“Do you favor a $12,000,000 bond issue to purchase land and conservation easements statewide from willing sellers for conservation, water access, wildlife and fish habitat, outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, farmland preservation and working waterfront preservation to be matched by at least $7,000,000 in private and public contributions?”