BUY LAND, BY WATERFRONT

Lawmakers today are expected to begin the difficult task of sorting through dozens of requests to determine what areas most merit bond funding. A key consideration must be that the borrowing will pay a good return on the state’s investment. Money for land acquisition through the Land for Maine’s Future program, as past projects show, fulfills this requirement.

Gov. John Baldacci has included a $35 million bond for LMF in his nearly $400 million package. In addition to the LMF money, the governor has proposed $5 million bonds for both working waterfront preservation and riverfront revitalization and a $10 million measure for work at state parks and historic sites. Although much more could be used and has been recommended by lawmakers, mostly Democrats, these are reasonable, even generous numbers given competing needs, such as the large backlog of road and bridge projects and the state’s continued shortfall in research and development funding.

Taken together, these bonds would help the state protect its “quality of place” as recommended by the Brookings Institution report.

The Land for Maine’s Future program has built strong public support through 20 years of buying land to maintain farmland as open space, to ensure fishermen can access lakes and streams, to create new recreational opportunities and to protect scenic and wildlife areas.

Past projects have included the Bold Coast in Cutler, a hiking trail that affords views of the Bay of Fundy, a 53-mile stretch of the Bangor and Aroostook right-of-way that has become a multiuse trail between Washburn and Van Buren and an oceanfront park on Swans Island.

Since 1999, LMF projects have gotten an average of $2.50 in matching funds for every $1 the program spends.

The list of projects seeking funding remains long. Open space, especially along the southern coast, is at risk of development, and more than 100 farmers have expressed an interest in working with LMF to preserve their farms.

A bond to renovate, improve and build new facilities at the state’s parks is also necessary. Maine has a backlog of more than $33 million in repairs at its parks and historic sites, which draw more than 2 million visitors annually. Rundown buildings, crumbling bridges and broken bathrooms will drive tourists away from these places.

As part of a 2005 bond, $2 million was allocated to ensuring fishermen had access to the ocean by buying commercial piers, parking and berthing spaces. Six projects were funded including the renovation of the town pier on Isle au Haut, the purchase of a right of way to clam flats in Machiasport and the purchase of facilities the Spruce Head Fishermen’s Co-op had leased in South Thomaston.

Here, too, inquiries far exceed the resources available, a situation that would be partially remedied with more bond money.

Access and economic development are also important along the state’s rivers. A riverfront bond will provide money to rehabilitate buildings, develop public access points and encourage waterside trails and parks.

This is worthwhile work that will improve Maine’s landscape and, in turn, encourage more investment in the state.