MORNING SENTINEL • April 11, 2021
Regardless of your stance on the Central Maine Power corridor, it’s important to note that there are ongoing inconsistencies on assessing change of use on Maine public lands. Public lands belong to the people of Maine. In 1993, 72% of Mainers voted to protect Maine’s public lands by amending the Maine Constitution to require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for sales or leases that substantially reduce or alter the value of land held in public trust. Two administrations in a row have issued leases to CMP without the constitutionally required legislative vote. It’s important to pass L.D. 471 and L.D. 1075. Establishing rules will ensure that the Maine Constitution is upheld, and that the same standard is applied to reviewing requests for leases or sales involving public lands, regardless of who is in power. ~ Sandi Howard, Say NO to NECEC, Caratunk