NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • January 16, 2026
A bill to strengthen Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has become law, with provisions to expand and update this important oversight board for the 10.5 million acres of Unorganized Territories (UT), covering approximately half of the state. The new law (LD 870) includes a number of important reforms that will help the LUPC to better represent the enormous statewide significance the region holds for Maine’s future when it makes planning and zoning decisions. The changes include a new Commissioner representing the Wabanaki Nations, a new Commissioner appointed by the Legislature representing the state’s interests at-large, and improved qualifications for forestry, land use planning, conservation, fisheries, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and natural resource-based businesses within the UT.