Land for Maine’s Future Board issues call for new proposals
For Immediate Release: February 15, 2011
Tim Glidden, LMF Staff Director
Maine State Planning Office
38 State House Station
Phone: 207-624-6200
Tim.Glidden@maine.gov
Following passage last fall of the land conservation bond with overwhelming support from Maine voters, the Land for Maine’s Future Board has issued a call for new proposals. Proposals will be accepted until close of business on Friday, April 1, 2011
Board Chairman Don Marean said, “The Board is seeking new proposals that will conserve the natural resources so important to all of Maine citizens and to its economy. From working farms and forests; wildlife habitat and deer yards; trails and boat launches - these are investments in Maine’s future.”
The Land for Maine’s Future Program was created in 1987 in response to concerns over the loss of critical natural areas and wildlife habitat along with traditional access to undeveloped lands and waterways for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The Program also seeks to conserve privately-owned and operated working forests and farmlands through the purchase of development rights. Working with the Department of Marine Resources, LMF also supports the protection of working waterfronts for commercial marine fishermen.
Eligible applicants include state agencies, land trusts, cities, towns and other organizations which may assist in the acquisition and management of conservation lands. The Board expects to select proposals for funding at its July 12th meeting.
Each proposal will be evaluated using scoring criteria published in the Land for Maine’s Future Program Proposal Workbook that is now available on LMF's web page. The workbook provides a succinct overview of the LMF program, complete instructions on developing a proposal and answers to many questions about the LMF funding process. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to read the workbook.
Proposals will also be solicited later this year for Working Waterfront Protection projects along Maine’s coast. This effort is jointly administered with the Maine Department of Marine Resources (see www.wwapp.org). Further information will be released shortly on the schedule for this solicitation.