"The people of Maine have always been faithful stewards of the forest because we understand its tremendous value to our economy and our way of life. From the vast tracts of land to the north to the small woodlots of the south, forest land helps shape the character of our entire State. While our commitment to stewardship has preserved the forest for generations, there is a new threat to Maine''s forest that requires a new approach to how we protect our most valuable resource," said Senator Collins.
"The threat of which I speak is suburban sprawl and it has already consumed tens-of-thousands of acres of forest land in Maine. Sprawl occurs because the economic value of forest or farm land cannot compete with the value of developed land. The problem is particularly acute here in southern Maine where a 108% increase in urbanized land over the past two decades has resulted in the labeling of greater Portland as the ‘sprawl capital'' of the Northeast.
"The people of Maine are forging a new approach to preserving our working forest and protecting our communities from sprawl. They are doing important work, and it is time for the federal government to stand with those who are giving so much to the cause."
The Senator announced that upon her return to Washington later today, she will introduce the Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Initiative Act. The legislation establishes a $50-million grant program within the U.S. Forest Service to support locally-driven projects that preserve working forests. As part of the program, State and local governments as well as nonprofit organizations can compete for funds to purchase land or conservation easements to keep forest lands, threatened by development, in their traditional use.
Projects funded under this initiative must be targeted at lands that are in parts of the country that are threatened by sprawl. The legislation requires that federal grant funds be matched dollar-for-dollar with state, local, or private resources. The grant program will help promote sustainable forestry and public access to forest lands. My legislation protects the rights of property owners with the inclusion of a "willing-seller" provision and it allows non-profits, states, and municipalities – but not the federal government – to hold title to land or easements purchased under the program.
The $50 million that would be authorized by the Collins bill would help achieve a number of stewardship objectives. First, it would help prevent forest fragmentation and preserve working forests, helping to maintain the supply of timber that fuels Maine''s most important industry. Second, the resources made available would be a valuable tool in communities that are struggling to manage growth and prevent sprawl. Currently, if a city or town trying to cope with the effects of sprawl turned to the federal government for assistance, none would be found. "My bill will change that by making the federal government an active partner in preserving forest land and managing sprawl," the Senator said.