For the Sake of Maine Lakes
The Newsletter of the Maine Congress of Lake Associations: The Maine Lakes Conference Issue
Summer 2011
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Dear Friends of Maine Lakes,
We would like your help protecting Maine lakes.
Buying a raffle ticket from our 2nd Annual LAKE LOVERS’ RAFFLE is a great way to support LakeSmart, all floating classroom programs, lake association capacity building, and advocacy for wise land use and watershed protection. 2013 prizes include wilderness fishing trips, restaurant meals and overnights, lift tickets to Saddleback, and Much, Much More! See below for a sampling of what’s on offer. Would you be in the market for a new DO meter? Check it out, and help us out!
LINK >> to Raffle Items <<
ACT NOW ! Call Now Buy Your Tickets... Ends June 22nd ! www.mainecola.org 855-4 - ME- COLA OR 855 463-2652
Please share this with interested friends, too! LINK >> to Raffle Items << Best regards,
Maggie Shannon, Executive Director, Maine COLA
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Dear Friends of Maine Lakes, This is the first in a series of Legislative Alerts from the Maine Congress of Lake Associations to inform you about 2013 actions affecting lakes in the Maine State Legislature. We provide this service to assist lake users and stewards make their views known about bills that could impact their lives and the well-being of their communities. Today's note is a brief summary of 4 bills of interest. You will hear from us again when these initiatives are scheduled for a hearing. The general fund bond issue (#1 below) is a major focus for us this year. An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Ensure Clean Water and Safe Communities This bill creates a fund to preserve Maine’s high quality water resources. The Fund would be used to conserve land such as lake watersheds, aquifer recharge areas and forested headwaters and to improve man-made structures such as stream crossings, roads and culverts. Increasing pressure on lake ecosystems from climate and development, coupled with budget cuts and agency downsizing make this vital measure one that all of us should actively support. Stay tuned and tell your friends! LD 730: An Act to Protect Maine’s Loons by Banning Lead Sinkers and Jigs Expanding the ban of lead sinkers to include the sale and use of lead sinkers up to 1 oz. and lead jigs up to 2.5 inches will reduce mortality and improve survival for Maine’s loons. Lead poisoning is the leading cause of loon death in Maine (97 lead poisonings out of 352 loon deaths have been documented since 1987 by Tufts University) Expected in Committee in late March. LD 640: An Act to Exempt All-Terrain Vehicle Trail Maintenance from Storm Water Management Requirements This bill extends to ATV trails the same statewide exemption from soil erosion precautions enjoyed by those who develop, construct and maintain snowmobile trails. Land use determines water quality. The snowmobile exemption already permits harm to Maine waters. It makes no sense to extend the application of a bad law on the grounds of equal treatment. LD 674: An Act to Clarify the Natural Resources Protection Act Here comes another Takings Bill! Not only that, but the clarification involved will drastically reduce setbacks for high and moderate value inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat (to 75') and vernal pools (75'). The Takings involves reimbursing landowners for the loss in property value caused by the setback. Takings inevitably inhibit land use regulation, and land use determines water quality. Please share this with interested friends. Best regards, Maggie Shannon Maine Congress of Lake Associations Maggie Shannon, Executive Director, Maine COLA
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Best regards, Maggie Shannon Maine Congress of Lake Associations
This note is the first of a series of Legislative Alerts from Maine COLA. We keep you posted on what's happening in Augusta and assist you to make your voice heard by decision-makers should you want to comment.
It's early in the legislative season, but we already know of three important bills that will be of interest to you. The general fund bond issue (#1 below) will be a major focus of our lake advocacy in 2013 because it would significantly increase water quality protection if passed.
Please share this with interested friends, too! Best regards, Maggie Shannon Maine Congress of Lake Associations
Maine Congress of Lake Associations 855-4-ME-COLA - E-mail Maine COLA
