Land for Maine's Future Program
Land for Maine's Future Board Policies &
Statutory Guidelines
Willing sellers only - A Board policy since 1987. The Board requires signed consent from the owner(s) of land being proposed for consideration in advance of any Board discussion of a property.
Public Notice of Intent to Purchase - The Board publishes a ten-day advance notice of a vote to acquire property. Notices are placed in a general circulation newspaper and a local newspaper describing the property to be voted on and inviting all members of the public to submit comments in writing or to appear before the Board with comments about the proposed acquisition.
Public Participation Welcome at All Meetings - All Board meetings are open, almost always attended by members of the public, and frequently include public input. All meetings are publicly noticed well in advance, including a mailing to a long list of interested parties.
Providing Public Access - Public access is a core purpose of the LMF program. 5% of the appraised value of any project (acquisition) is made available to the title holding agency to develop public access including trails, boat access, camping and picnicking facilities.
Municipal & County Approval - LMF statute requires approval of the elected municipal officials when more than 1% of a municipality's state valuation is considered for acquisition. Board policy is to seek municipal input on all acquisitions. This also applies to counties and county commissioners.
Purchase Price Determined by Appraised Value - Board policy is to determine land values through appraisals and to base acquisition price on appraised value. Purchase price may be reduced through matching funds and landowner contributions.
No Fee Acquisition of Timber Production Lands - LMF is prohibited by statute to acquire land for which the primary use value has been or will be commercially harvested or harvestable forest land. This does not prohibit the acquisition of conservation easements on working forest lands which allow for timber production while securing public access and the conservation of other natural resource values.
Hunting and Fishing - All LMF lands managed by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are open to hunting and fishing. 99.8% of LMF lands managed by the Bureau of Parks and Lands are open to hunting and fishing. Collectively, 99.9% of all land acquired by LMF is open to hunting and fishing.
Water Access Lands - 87% of all lands acquired through the Land for Maine's Future Program involve water access. Coastal and inland access to water is one of LMF's priorities when evaluating proposals.
Addressing Land Management Costs - Up to 20% of the appraised value of acquired land may be put into the stewardship account of the state agency holding title to the land.
Farmland Protection - LMF is the only state program with a mandate to protect farmland. Recent successes include a Federal Farm Bill grant for $360,000 to be matched with LMF funds.
Farm Business Plans & Capitol Improvements - 5% of the appraised value of development rights purchases on farmland is made available directly to the farmer to support the establishment of a business plan/capitol improvements to provide for the lands continuing use as a working farm.
Value Added to Public Dollars - A two to one match is required which means that for every two dollars coming from the Fund, one dollar in private or other match must be present.
