Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Conservation To Report on the Status of the Working Group on the Acquisition of Land for Multiple Uses

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the 122nd Legislature charged the Commissioner of Conservation with convening a working group on the acquisition of land for multiple uses with an emphasis on the Katahdin region; and

Whereas,  it is unclear what progress has been made by the working group; and

Whereas,  there is an opportunity to develop options that could have a significant impact on the economy of the region; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Status report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Conservation shall report by March 1, 2009 to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on the status of the working group convened pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 197, section 5. The report must at a minimum:

1. Members. Identify the members of the working group and the interests that each member represents, including any members that may no longer be affiliated with the working group;

2. Other individuals, committees or groups. Identify any other individuals, committees or groups the commissioner or the working group has had contact with or worked with in making the review required by Resolve 2005, chapter 197, section 5; and

3. Meetings. State the number, dates and locations of meetings held by the working group and include a summary of each meeting; and be it further

Sec. 2. Legislation. Resolved: That the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may submit legislation based upon its review of the report submitted pursuant to section 1 to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Conservation to report by March 1, 2009 to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on the status of the working group convened pursuant to Resolve 2005, chapter 197, section 5, which was charged with reviewing options for the public acquisition of land or interest in land in the Katahdin region that is crucial for hunting, snowmobiling and other types of recreation that have a significant impact on the economy of the region. The report must identify who is included in the working group, who the group has had contact with and the progress of any meetings held by the group.