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Grassroots E-Mail Express
January 20, 2005
Volume 3 No. 2
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Bill LD 73 - An Act To Prohibit the Federal Government
from Owning Property in the State Not Specifically
Authorized in the United States Constitution
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/LD.asp?LD=73
THE ISSUE:
A public hearing before the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee on
LD 73 is scheduled for 1PM 1/24/05 Rm. 216 Cross State Office Building in
Augusta.
LD 73 would prohibit ownership of lands in Maine by our national government
except for military purposes. If implemented, Acadia National Park, White
Mountain National Forest, several National Wildlife Refuges, and much of the
Appalachian Trail would be transferred to the state, which does not have the
resources to take care of these public lands of national significance.
Moreover, the bill could prevent important public acquisitions by our national
agencies in the future within the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and at other key
areas. Below is the partial text of the bill from the legislative website. (You
may have to cut and paste the whole link into your browser).
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/lio/phSched.asp?CODE=ACF&DAYS=7&sYY=2005&sMM=1&sDD=19
This bill prohibits the United States from owning or acquiring
land in this State unless the ownership of the land is expressly authorized by
the United States Constitution. It also directs the Department of Administrative
and Financial Services and the Department of Conservation to recommend to the
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over property
matters a procedure for transferring to the State all land that is owned by the
United States and that is not authorized by the United States Constitution. The
bill also repeals sections of law that authorize the United States to acquire
land in the State for national forests.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Contact the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and
urge them to oppose LD 73.
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee
100 State House Station,
Augusta, ME 04333-0100.
2. Speak in opposition to LD 73 at the public hearing on Monday
3. Come to the hearing and show your support of Sierra Staff,
Karen Woodsum who is presenting testimony in opposition to this bill. Hearing is
scheduled for 1PM, January 24, Rm. 216 Cross State Office Building in Augusta.
Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government
http://janus.state.me.us/house/jt_com/slg.htm
Senator Elizabeth M. Schneider
(D-Penobscot), Chair
Senator Margaret Rotundo (D-Androscoggin)
Senator Mary Black Andrews
(R-York)
Representative Christopher R.
Barstow (D-Gorham), Chair
Representative Sonya G.
Sampson (D-Auburn)
Representative Richard D.
Blanchard (D-Old Town)
Representative Charles William
Harlow (D-Portland)
Representative James M. Schatz
(D-Blue Hill)
Representative Robert H.
Crosthwaite (R-Ellsworth)*
Representative George R.
Bishop, Jr. (R-Boothbay)
Representative Howard E.
McFadden (R-Dennysville)
Representative Bradley S.
Moulton (R-York)
Representative Roberta M. Muse
(R-Fryeburg)
For more information contact the Chapter Office.
Sierra Club - Maine Chapter
1 Pleasant Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: (207) 761-5616
Fax: (207) 773-6690
Email: maine.chapter@sierraclub.org
Web:
http://maine.sierraclub.org/
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