U.S. Senator Susan Collins today introduced legislation to protect our working forests, farmland, and open spaces from the threat of suburban sprawl. The bill, titled “The Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Program Act,” establishes a $50 million grant program within the U.S. Forest Service to support local land conservation projects that preserve working forests.
“Suburban sprawl is threatening our nation’s forests, farms, and meadows. In the State of Maine alone, suburban sprawl has already consumed tens of thousands of acres of valuable forest and farm land,” Senator Collins said. “The bill I have introduced will help prevent sprawl, help sustain the viability of natural resource-based industries, and provide additional support for local conservation initiatives.”
The $50 million that would be authorized by Senator Collins’ bill would help prevent forest fragmentation and preserve working forests, helping to maintain the supply of timber that fuels Maine’s most significant industry. These resources would also serve as a valuable tool for communities that are struggling to manage growth and prevent sprawl.
Local government and nonprofit organizations could compete for funds to purchase land or access to land to protect working landscapes threatened by development. Projects funded under this initiative must be targeted at lands located in parts of the country that are threatened by sprawl. In addition, this legislation requires that federal grant funds be matched dollar-for-dollar by state, local, or private resources.
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