Should the state Legislature reconvene into special session and replenish the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program? Yes. This program has benefited all portions of the state.

Since the first land bond in 1987, the voters of Maine have shown overwhelming support for the program; and land purchases made through the program continue to preserve the rich natural landscape that is not only Maine’s heritage, but the state’s greatest asset as well.

A sampling of the LMF projects include:

. snowmobile trails in Aroostook County;

. critical wildlife habitat in areas such as the Machias river;

. Tumbledown mountain;

. hunting and fishing – 99.9 percent of LMF acquisitions are open to these activities;

. sustainably managed forests of Nicatous and West Branch;

. farms in Blue Hill and Damariscotta;

. fishing in Grand Lake Stream.

Again, is LMF still necessary? Yes.

As of January 2004, LMF has committed all $50 million that voters approved in 1999. Yet, public access for recreation is being threatened throughout the state and rural economics are also threatened by the loss of managed forests, working farmlands and water access.

Inflation of land prices has made acquisition more expensive. It is crucial that a land bond be passed. It makes economic sense to fund now to insure a sustainable, long-term program of land protection in Maine. Without the land bond, there may no longer be land in Maine’s future.

John Manter

Veazie