PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 10, 2021
Maine is seeking proposals for conservation projects aimed at preserving open spaces that have the potential to benefit future generations of Mainers. Gov. Janet Mills announced that the budget of the Land for Maine’s Future program has been replenished and now contains $40 million for projects that could be used to protect farmlands and open space, waterfront properties, threatened wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation areas with statewide significance. The Legislature voted to appropriate that amount in the state’s biennial budget for the LMF program over the next four years. The investment comes as record numbers of people visit Maine’s outdoors and pressure builds over development and the preservation of sensitive areas. The program popular among Maine voters became a political target of former Gov. Paul LePage. LePage blocked spending and allowed $6.5 million in LMF bonds to expire. LePage wanted to allow more logging in preserved lands.