AUGUSTA - The Legislature voted on Monday to enact LD 1984, a measure from Rep. David McCrea, D-Fort Fairfield, that would authorize the director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands to renew a lease for land in the Aroostook State Park to the Federal Aviation Administration.
In 2002, the Bureau of Parks and Lands issued a lease to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration for an area of 10,000 square feet within Aroostook State Park to maintain equipment for accurate and timely communication and flight management systems operation servicing the Presque Isle International Airport.
"I was very pleased to see this bill receive approval from the Legislature today," said McCrea. "Renewing this lease is essential for keeping Presque Isle and the Aroostook region, more broadly, well connected both for recreational and business activity."
The Presque Isle International Airport was first established by the federal government during World War II as an air base for planes heading to and from Great Britain. The construction of the airport by a local Hamden contracting company transformed Presque Isle into a vital war center supporting U.S. troops overseas. Upon shutting down the air force base after the war, the landing strip was redeveloped and has since been utilized for commercial air service. At 7,439 feet, it boasts the second longest active commercial service runway in Maine.
The current lease is set to expire on September 30, 2022. In order to extend the lease by the Bureau of Parks and Lands to the Federal Aviation Authority, the Legislature must issue approval.
The measure now heads to the governors desk.
McCrea is serving his third term in the Legislature and is a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. He represents Caswell, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Hamlin, Limestone, part of Presque Isle, Stockholm and Cyr Plantation, plus the unorganized territory of Connor Township.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [McCrea], c. 812-1111