Maine: Environment prospers in legislative session
Maine: Environment prospers in legislative session
Maine LCV Executive Director Maureen Drouin at a press conference to announce legislative wins.
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http://www.sunjournal.com/story/217502-3/MaineNews/Environment_prospers_in_legislative_session/Environment prospers in legislative session
By Jessica Alaimo , Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
AUGUSTA - It's been a champion year for the environment in the Legislature, advocates and legislators said Tuesday.
Six significant bills have passed, said Maureen Drouin, executive director of the Maine League of Conservation Voters.
Communities along the Androscoggin River stand to benefit from the state bond package, which allocates $20 million for infrastructure improvements to state parks, historic sites and riverfront recreational, tourism and community facilities. The money would also support downtown revitalization and expansion of tourism and Maine's "creative economy."
Another $17 million state bond is earmarked for the Land for Maine's Future program to continue conservation efforts.
"I've seen firsthand their (LMF) efficient staff at work during the past 15 years and am impressed with their thorough processes and citizen involvement with willing sellers of special lands," said bill sponsor Rep. Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop.
The bonds are pending voter approval, and would be distributed through grant requests.
Also noted during a news conference Tuesday were two of the most publicized issues of the session.
Gov. John Baldacci on Monday signed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative into law. The bill, being discussed in nine other states, seeks to control greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide) through a cap-and-trade system. Under such a system, power plants are offered financial incentives to cap the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
Baldacci also recently put his signature on a bill phasing out use of the flame retardant deca from furniture and electronics.
Wildlife habitat and endangered species also got a look. A bill by Rep. Ted Koffman, D-Bar Harbor, clarifies and makes technical changes to the Natural Resources Protection Laws regarding significant wildlife habitat.
A bill by Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham, will update the list of state endangered species. The bill was signed at the end of May.
Some of the species added to the list were the New England cottontail, short-eared owl and boreal snaketail.
