Land for Maine's Future Program Names New Director

January 16, 2014

For more information contact: John Bott at: 207-287-3156

AUGUSTA? The Land for Maine's Future (LMF) Program has announced that after a thorough search and selection process it has named Ed Meadows as its new Director, effective January 6.

Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Bureau Director Robert Marvinney made the announcement. "I am pleased to announce that Ed Meadows has been selected as the Director of the Land for Maine's Future Program. We had many qualified candidates, but Ed's experience managing programs, working with citizen boards, enthusiasm for conservation, and his knowledge of appraising and conserving land uniquely position him to be LMF Director. We are pleased to have a strong leader at this important time as the program begins the release of new bond funds for land conservation.?

"Our ACF Department has finished the legislatively directed process of adding LMF to the Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning,? said Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. ?Under the able oversight of Director Robert Marvinney, and with the selection of program director Meadows, the Land for Maine?s Future program is well prepared with updated project selection criteria for the upcoming round of bond funding."

Upon learning of his selection, Ed Meadows stated "I am honored to be chosen for this position, leading a program that is hugely popular with Maine citizens, conserving important natural resources so vital to our state?s heritage of forestry, farming, hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. I look forward to working with the LMF Board and our partners to protect the best of Maine's natural resources and water access sites for future use and enjoyment by Maine people and visitors to our state.?

Mr. Meadows has served as acting LMF Director since November 2012. After beginning his career in Maine, Mr. Meadows worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on land conservation and administration of Michigan?s five million acres of state owned land. As Manager of Real Estate Services he was responsible for land acquisitions, appraisals, negotiations, land exchanges, sale of surplus land, easements and leases. He is a former member of the LMF Board, and as Director of the Maine Bureau of Public Lands, was the state?s chief negotiator for LMF acquisitions.

Land for Maine?s Future Program:

Established in 1987 by referendum, the LMF program administers funds to acquire land for conservation, water access, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, farmland preservation, archaeological sites and working waterfronts. The program is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The Land for Maine?s Future Board recently announced a Call for Proposals for land conservation projects using funding from approximately $10.4 million in LMF bonds approved by Maine voters. Projects will be funded in the following categories:

  • Conservation and recreational lands
  • Farmland protection
  • Working Waterfront access protection
  • Public access to Maine Waters, for boating, fishing and swimming

Since creation of the fund, over 560,000 acres have been acquired, entirely from willing sellers. Reflecting LMF?s support of traditional Maine industries, this includes about 315,000 acres in conservation easements, where the land remains in private ownership and is managed for forestry and agricultural purposes with permanent conservation agreements. The projects include 39 farmland protection agreements covering more than 9000 acres of prime agricultural land and 21 working water front projects which protect access to coastal waters for commercial fishing.

The LMF board consists of nine members: six are private citizens appointed by the Governor, the remaining three are the commissioners of the departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Marine Resources. The LMF Board administers the Working Waterfront Program jointly with the Department of Marine Resources.

The program works with citizens, land trusts, businesses, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and federal and state agencies to identify special lands to accomplish the State's goals. There are four categories of projects: 1) Conservation and Recreation Lands; 2) Farmlands; 3) Working Waterfronts and 4) Water Access Lands.

Funding is drawn from sale of bonds approved by voters, most recently in 2012. Since 1987, there have been six bond proposals, all of which were approved by voters. By law, the LMF program seeks matching funds at a ratio of at least $1 of match for every $1 of public funds expended.

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: http://www.maine.gov/acf