AUGUSTA, Maine -(April 24, 2002) The Department of Conservation's Bureau of Parks and Lands today outlined its work program for completing the Maine Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP. The plan is required by the National Park Service for the state to receive matching money from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for outdoor recreation planning, acquisition, and development. The plan will guide the expenditure of these funds and meet state requirements for reporting on outdoor recreation to the Governor and Legislature.
The SCORP evaluates the demand for and supply of outdoor recreation resources and facilities; discusses outdoor recreation issues of statewide importance; and describes the role federal LWCF monies and local, state, and federal programs can play in addressing these issues. The work program, which is summarized on the bureau's web page at
www.state.me.us/doc/parks
, or can be requested by calling 287-3821, indicates how the bureau will prepare the plan and how the public can become involved. The plan must be completed by December 31, 2002 and approved by the Governor and the National Park Service.
The bureau has identified five broad topics around which the recreational issues of statewide importance will be further efined at facilitated group meetings this summer: the availability of outdoor recreation opportunities; community outdoor recreation and smart growth; recreation and public access in the northern forest; trail recreation; and tourism and public recreation facilities.
The bureau invites any interested agency, organization, or member of the public to comment on the work program, and to sign up for electronic and regular mailing lists to receive meeting notices and draft documents as they are prepared. Public meetings on a draft plan will be held in the late fall of 2002.
Since 1965, approximately $34 million of LWCF money has been used for state and local projects in Maine including the purchase state recreation lands; the construction of facilities like shower buildings and roads; and the development of municipal projects ranging from ball fields to waterfront parks. LWCF is administered by the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
