‘Resolve, Directing the Governor and the Land for Maine's Future Board To Fulfill the Will of Maine Voters and Issue Bonds Approved in 2010’

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‘Preamble. Whereas,  the Land for Maine's Future program, since its establishment in 1987, has conserved more than 560,000 acres of conservation and recreation lands now available to the public for a variety of activities including hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, picnicking and birdwatching; and

Whereas,  the Land for Maine's Future program, throughout its 28-year history, has supported high-paying jobs and strengthened local economies through the permanent protection of over 315,000 acres of commercial forestland, 37 farms and more than 2 dozen working waterfronts; and

Whereas,  when asked to ratify Land for Maine's Future bond issues, the majority of Maine voters across the State, urban and rural, northern and southern, regardless of political party, consistently vote yes; and

Whereas,  3 out of every 5 Maine voters, exercising their authority under the Constitution of Maine, ratified Land for Maine's Future bond issues as recently as 2010 and 2012; and

Whereas,  the Land for Maine's Future Board, a 9-person committee consisting of the Commissioner of Marine Resources, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and 6 public members, all nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, is authorized to distribute funds, set priorities and administer the Land for Maine's Future program; and

Whereas,  in July of 2014, the Land for Maine's Future Board made promises in writing to fund 30 projects by committing more than $9,000,000 in funds ratified by voters in 2010 and 2012; and

Whereas,  in July of 2015, as many as 3 dozen Land for Maine's Future projects approved by the board in 2011 and 2014 remain in limbo, awaiting confirmation that the State will fulfill the multiple commitments it has made to landowners, communities, sportsmen, outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, farmers, local businesses and voters; and

Whereas,  in November of 2015, the authorization to borrow $6,470,000 in Land for Maine's Future bonds ratified by the voters will expire if the funds are not borrowed; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Authorization of board. Resolved: That the Governor shall authorize the Land for Maine's Future Board to conduct its business in accordance with its authority as outlined under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 353 regarding Land for Maine's Future bonds authorized by Maine voters in 2010 but not yet issued; and be it further

Sec. 2. Borrowing. Resolved: That the Governor shall work with the Treasurer of State to issue the bonds ratified by Maine voters in 2010 before that authorization expires; and be it further

Sec. 3. Final authorization of projects. Resolved: That the Land for Maine's Future Board, following its current due diligence protocols, shall grant final authorization for borrowing for any pending project for which the board has given initial approval when that project has met all the requirements outlined in the 2013 Land for Maine's Future Proposal Workbook and the recipients' award letters; and be it further

Sec. 4. Approval by Governor. Resolved: That the Governor or the Governor's assignees shall sign all necessary financial orders, project agreements and other paperwork requested by the Land for Maine's Future Board necessary to implement the borrowing authorized by the board pursuant to section 3.’