Land for Maine's Future Program
Program Profile
Conserving Land for Current and Future Generations
The Land for Maine's Future Program is the State of Maine's primary vehicle for acquiring public lands. While Maine has many spectacular state owned properties, substantially less than ten percent of our state is publicly owned -- one of the lowest percentages of any state in the country.
Program History: The Land for Maine's Future Program was established in 1987 when Maine citizens voted to fund $35 million to purchase lands of statewide importance. In 1997, new priorities were set forth by a commission of Maine citizens and in 1998 the legislature provided an appropriation of $3 million. With these funds fully allocated and projects completed, Maine voters approved in November 1999, a public bond of $50 million to support a rejuvenated and expanded program. In 2005, a $12 million bond created a new Working Waterfront Protection Pilot Program.
Accomplishments: The Land for Maine's Future Program has already conserved over 445,000 acres, (approximately 2/3 in conservation easement and 1/3 fee simple), 973 miles of waterfront land, and 158 miles of recreational trails derived from abandoned rail line corridors, five state and regional parks expanded, 18 working farms conserved. Since 1987, one hundred eighty-nine (189) land conservation projects have been completed throughout all of Maine’s 16 counties. Projects have included mountain summits, river shoreline, lakes, ponds, coastal islands, coastal beaches, forest, grasslands, farmland, and wetlands ....placing these special places in the public trust forever.
Funding: The Program works to coordinate and finance acquisition of lands for conservation, water access, outdoor recreation, wildlife and fish habitat and farmland conservation. Through the use of matching funds, the program encourages partnerships with local, regional, and statewide conservation organizations, as well as state and federal agencies.
The program's priorities have evolved since 1987. The primary focus remains acquiring prime physical features of the Maine landscape - projects of statewide significance - recognizing that public access to these lands is critical to preserving Maine's high quality of life. In the current round of funding, the program has been broadened to allow funding of projects with local and regional significance, and a pilot program for working waterfront. In addition, up to ten percent of the funding has been set aside specifically to create public access to our lakes, rivers and ocean coastline. Likewise, up to an additional ten percent is available specifically to protect farmland. With the 1999 round of funding, ownership and management of the properties can include partnerships with local groups including municipalities and private land trusts.
Keys to success: The Land for Maine's Future has garnered broad based support because it respects landowner rights by acquiring land only from willing sellers, pursues a mission defined by the public, provides a tangible return to everyone who cherishes Maine's landscape (from hunters, to hikers, snowmobilers to birdwatchers), and leverages both federal and private funding for state priority purchases.
Leadership: Three successive governors have supported the Program, which is overseen by a Board of six private citizens and the Commissioners of five agencies - Agriculture, Conservation, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and the State Planning Office.
Process: The Land for Maine's Future Board issues calls for proposals on a periodic basis. Applicants are encouraged to work with program staff to complete the application process, which is described in the Land for Maine's Future Workbook. Copies of the Workbook are available from the State Planning Office or can be downloaded online.
Applications must be sponsored by one of the following state agencies: Departments of Conservation, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources, Marine Resources, Atlantic Salmon Commission and the Maine Coastal Program of the State Planning Office. An expedited process is used for projects that qualify for the Public Access to Maine's Waters Fund.
For information: Land for Maine’s Future Program, State Planning Office, 38 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333 Telephone: (207) 287-1485
