Action Alert! Free LMF Funds and Improve Stream Crossings

Next week, the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is holding public hearings on two very important bond bills – LD 1248, a bill to fund the Land for Maine’s Future program, and LD 1069, a bill to fund new and improved stream crossings.

While the bills are before the Appropriations Committee, it’s essential that committee members and leadership hear from their colleagues that there’s strong support for these initiatives.

How You Can Help

Please attend the Public Hearings

Please contact your legislators — urge them to support LDs 1248 and 1069.

Let them know that LMF-funded projects have had significant positive impacts on areas important to you and your fellow Mainers. Also share with them that the Stream Crossings Bond is a timely, well-planned and cost-effective investment in improving stream crossings.

Background Information

Land for Maine’s Future
For more than two decades, the highly successful Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program has provided critical funding to protect forestlands, shorelines, working farms and waterfronts, salt marshes, mountain summits and other treasures of Maine’s natural heritage for generations to come.

By now you are probably aware that the Governor is refusing to release the previously approved LMF bonds. LD 1248, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for the Land for Maine’s Future Fund, proposes a $20 million bond to fund the Land for Maine’s Future program.

LMF funds have protected land in each of Maine’s 16 counties, where families can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, snowmobiling, camping, skiing and other outdoor activities. This program has provided essential infrastructure that helps preserve Maine’s unique character and supports our natural resource based economy. With all that LMF has done, it is no wonder that over 60% of Maine voters support this program.

Stream Crossing (Culvert) Bond
Many Maine culverts are old, ineffective, and put roads, public safety and wildlife at risk. Much of our water infrastructure, including the culverts that  allow streams to pass under roads, were put in place during the World War II era or even earlier. Old culverts can get blocked or fail entirely, creating a public safety hazard and cutting fish and wildlife habitats into separate, isolated segments.

LD 1069, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Upgrade Municipal Culverts at Stream Crossings, proposes a $10 million bond to help fund improvements of our road infrastructure (stream culverts). This will improve public safety by preparing for extreme flood events and benefit Maine’s wildlife by reconnecting fish and wildlife habitat. Stream connectivity is critically important to maintaining healthy fish and wildlife populations.

The Stream Crossings Bond will improve public safety and the health of our aquatic resources. And without the LMF program, more of Maine’s natural heritage would be lost to development. For more information about both bills, please go to our website.

Please attend the hearings and contact your legislators and ask them to support LDs 1248 and 1069.