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Maine ChapterTo explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth 44 Oak St, Suite 301, Portland ME 04101 (207) 761-5616 |
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Maine Chapter - Sierra Club
March 3, 2005 Volume 3 No. 6
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Oppose
LD 143 - An Act to Improve Public Access to Public Lands
THE ISSUE: The title of this bill is mis-leading. According to Richard Fecteau, chairman of Friends of Bigelow, the group directly responsible for the creation of the Preserve, "LD 143 seeks to amend the public referendum initiated law that created the Bigelow Preserve in 1976. Friends of Bigelow and the Sierra Club are opposed to this legislation and urge Maine people to contact the committee members and attend the hearing to express their views". The legislation has been submitted for Western Mountain Foundation, a group that seeks to use the Bigelow Preserve as part of a "hut and trail system". The Maine Sierra Club and The Friends of Bigelow have been actively opposing plans of the Western Mountain Foundation and the Maine Department of Conservation to develop a proposed mechanically-groomed trail within the Preserve for commercial purposes.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Attend the Public Hearing: Monday, March 7 at 1:00 PM in Room 206 of the Cross Building (State Office Building). For directions call the Committee Clerk at (207) 287-1312.
2.
Write/Call/Email: Members
of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee today
and tell them that you oppose LD 143.
Members of the
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee
For a list of
the Committee members go to:
http://janus.state.me.us/house/jt_com/acf.htm
FURTHER
INFORMATION
Fecteau states that "an agreement was signed two years ago that caused similar legislation to be voted "ought not to pass" by the AF&C committee. Friends of Bigelow do not wish to waste time and resources opposing LD 143, but we must. This legislation will set a bad precedent for commercial use of public lands, this comes at a time when Maine people are realizing that our State needs more commercial free public lands". "During the past two years, professional staff at the Department have asked that the WMF development be considered during the upcoming management planning process, due to start on March 29 in Farmington with a public scoping session. Any action on this legislation prior to the completion of the management plan will preempt the public and professional management planning process". |
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