U.S. Senator Susan Collins recently announced that the President’s FY2009 budget request includes a proposal for $3,450,000 in funding to add 33,808 acres of working conservation easements on the Machias River that will help ensure sustainable forest management and public access. Senator Collins requested this funding in a letter to the President’s Office of Management and Budget last month.
Senator Collins noted, “The inclusion of this Forest Legacy funding for the Machias River project is wonderful news. The President has made it a priority to support state, local and other federal efforts to protect this important habitat and preserve it for generations to come. This funding would help this extremely important conservation project move forward.”
A text of Senator Collins’ letter requesting the funding follows:
Dear Director Nussle:
As you prepare the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget request, I would like to express my strong support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Legacy Program. Since its creation in the 1990 Farm Bill, the Forest Legacy Program has helped conserve tens of thousands of acres of pristine forestland across the nation.
The Forest Legacy Program has served my state of Maine well by preserving nearly 650,000 acres of forestland for the public to enjoy. Protecting Maine’s unspoiled forests from unnecessary development not only benefits local economies, but also allows for unique recreational opportunities. Tourism is Maine's largest economic sector, which largely depends on Maine's reputation for pristine mountains, lakes, and coastline. The Forest Legacy Program has proven its successful partnership between the federal government, the State of Maine, and non-profit organizations time and again. Through these partnerships, Maine’s tourist and forest products industry have created jobs while simultaneously preserving forestland for many future generations to enjoy.
I greatly appreciate the Administration’s support of the Lower Penobscot Project during the FY2008 budget process and would like to take this opportunity to describe three projects for FY 2009 that build on past successes and offer excellent opportunities to continue this important work. First, the Machias River Phase III project would continue Forest Legacy investments on the Machias River to add 33,808 acres of working forest conservation easements that will help ensure sustainable forest management and public access.
Second, the Grafton Notch – Stowe Mountain project represents the next phase of the successful FY2007 3,688-acre Grafton Notch Forest Legacy Project, and is a critical enhancement to that successful protection effort. Located in Maine’s western mountains, this project would allow the purchase 3,454 acres of forestland. The Stowe Mountain parcel is a productive commercial forest that faces an imminent threat from subdivision and second home development due to its proximity to the Sunday River Ski Area.
Third, the Katahdin Forest Expansion project includes five parcels totaling more than 19,500 build upon Maine’s largest block of contiguous conservation lands, which totals over 500,000 acres. This collaborative project would protect wildlife habitat, ensures the forest is managed sustainably, and would provide public access to more than 750,000 acres of existing conservation lands.
Given the President’s commitment to boost federal conservation efforts, I would urge you provide strong funding for this program in the President’s fiscal year 2009 budget. It is my hope that through the continued preservation of our forested land, many future generations will enjoy our nation's wilderness areas as we do today.
Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,