Press Release

AUGUSTA, Maine – Two new Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) commissioners were sworn into office Wednesday during a brief ceremony at the Maine Department of Conservation.

Durward L. Humphrey of Benedicta and James R. May of Mapleton each took the oath of office. They will attend their first LURC meeting on Friday, May 4, at the Washington County Community College in Calais.

“Our two newest commissioners bring with them a great deal of experience and breadth of knowledge,” said Samantha Horn Olsen, LURC acting director who witnessed the swearing-in. “I am pleased to have them on board and look forward to working with them.”

Created in 1971, LURC serves as the planning and zoning board for the state’s unorganized areas and coastal islands, as well as numerous towns and plantations that elect not to have local land use control. The commission’s jurisdiction encompasses approximately 10.4 million acres or roughly half the size of Maine.

The independent LURC board is composed of seven commissioners appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature. Meeting monthly around the state, the Commissioners have responsibility for rules, adjudications, policies and other agency decisions. The board currently is chaired by Gwen Hilton of Starks.

“I look forward to serving on behalf of the Unorganized Territories (UT),” commented Humphrey, after the ceremony.

“I am very pleased to have been appointed to the Commission and anticipate working with my fellow commissioners,” said May.

Humphrey recently served on the LURC Reform Commission, one of 13 members appointed by Gov. Paul LePage, Maine Senate President Kevin Raye, and Maine House Speaker Robert Nutting to propose reform recommendations for the agency. He also is CEO for the Katahdin Valley Health Center in Patten and has extensive experience in health care management, grants management and consulting, and transportation management.

A graduate of Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln, Humphrey has attended the University of Maine and holds several certificates in grant writing. He also is a Registered Maine Master Guide.

May is a retired forester who worked for 36 years for Prentiss & Carlisle Co. Inc., a well-known Maine land management company. He worked out of the company’s Ashland office, handling management responsibilities in the UT in northern Maine. Prior to that position, he was a forester for International Paper Co.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in forest management from the University of Maine. The new commissioner now works part time doing forestry consulting and maintenance work at Red River Camps in Deboullie Township.

For more information about LURC, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/index.shtml