PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 3, 2021
Lack of transparency, unfair special treatment and undermining of local control are all part of the Land for Maine’s Future bills – L.D. 687, L.D. 983 and L.D. 1702. The bills have a largely concealed critical requirement: “Hunting, fishing, trapping and public access may not be prohibited on land acquired with bond proceeds, except to the extent of applicable state, local or federal laws, rules and regulations and except for working waterfront projects and farmland protection projects.” Why are some interests mandated while others are not? How do we fix what’s flawed? Consider deleting the following language: “Hunting, fishing, trapping and…” ~ Don Loprieno, former land manager, Bristol