Woods and water. To many, they serve to describe, or in many cases, define Maine. We tromp through those woods and harvest timber there. We paddle and fish and swim in that water. When forests are healthy and the water is clean, all of us benefit. And so do our wild critters.
Maintaining healthy forests and assuring clean water in the future should be a priority for all of us: Recreational users. Industrial land-owners. Legislators. Governors.
Most of the time, it seems that Mainers are on the same page when it comes to appreciating the role that woods and water play in our daily lives.
This year, however, that’s not as readily apparent.
Earlier this week a group of conservation and sporting groups rallied in Augusta to draw attention to 10 legislative bills that they say will weaken protection that keeps lakes and rivers clean, provides critical habitat for animals, supports Maine’s hunting and fishing heritage and creates a Maine that tourists love to visit.
Ten bills. Shoreland zoning and vernal pools are targeted. So is the Land Use Regulation Commission, which oversees development in the state’s unorganized territories.
If you assumed groups such as Maine Audubon and the Natural Resources Council of Maine would be leading the charge against legislation that would weaken environmental protection, you’d be correct.
You’d also be missing a key part of the equation.
Among the groups that spoke up in Augusta was the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, which represents thousands of Maine hunters and fishermen.
SAM’s interim executive director, Matt Dunlap, explained how important clean water and healthy forests are to his constituency.
“Wildlife-related activity brings more than $1 billion to Maine every year and a big part of that is hunting and fishing,” Dunlap said, according to a press release. “Fish, especially Maine’s iconic brook trout and landlocked salmon, need clean water. Waterfowl need wetlands and vernal pools to nest in and feed, and hunters and fishermen need access to shorelands to hunt and fish. If Maine allows vastly increased development in these areas, as these proposed bills would, hunting and fishing as we know it in Maine will be harmed.”
Gov. Paul LePage rode into office vowing to improve the business climate and create jobs here in Maine.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
Trading the future of the state’s wild spaces for the allure of a possible buck, however, is short-sighted and will be costly to all of us, and to future generations.
Maine is many things to many people. For generations, its woods and water have helped define it to others who view our state as the perfect place to visit, unwind, and in many cases, settle and raise a family.
Our woods and water need not be obstacles to responsible development. For many the woods and water are a key reason we choose to live and work and play here. They deserve our respect. They deserve our concern.
And they deserve the well-reasoned protections that past state lawmakers have provided.
One moose deadline nears
Prospective moose hunters, take note: If you’re planning to fill out a paper application for the annual permit lottery, you’re running out of time to do so.
A few years back the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stopped printing and mailing paper applications to past applicants, but the agency does accept those applications from those who choose to avoid the online process.
The catch: You’ve got to have your application postmarked or hand-delivered to the DIF&W headquarters in Augusta by 5 p.m. Friday, April 1.
If you’re looking for information on how to get your hands on a paper application, call 287-8000 or go to www.mefishwildlife.com.
And for those applicants who have discovered the ease of online registration, it’s best to get into the lottery before (like a few of my friends, who will remain unnamed) you do something foolish — like forget to enter.
Online applicants have until 11:59 p.m. May 13 to fill out their applications.
