Headline

Maine LURC Reform Proposal Wins Key Committee Endorsement

A controversial proposal to revamp the Land Use Regulation Commission has been unanimously approved by a legislative committee, virtually guaranteeing its passage by the full Legislature. Debate over the future of the agency esponsible for zoning and planning in Maine's vast unorganized territories has raged for more than a year. But one of the most contentious parts of the bill has been removed. And the final result is being characterized as a solid compromise.

Headline

LURChing to an Amazing Finish

When Governor Paul LePage proposed to abolish Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission, and give counties the planning and regulatory authority for the 10 million acres of unorganized territory, it unleashed what promised to be an ugly bitter battle.

News Release | Environment Maine

Committee Drops Worst LURC Rollbacks After Public Outcry

The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry gave final approval this afternoon to a bill to overhaul the Land Use Regulation Commission, LD 1798. The Committee passed the bill by a unanimous vote after major changes were made to the bill, including stripping out the provision that allowed counties to drop out of LURC’s protections.

Headline

Panel unanimously passes bill to overhaul Land Use Regulation Commission

Members of a legislative committee on Thursday unanimously endorsed a bill to reform Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission after lawmakers reached an accord to remove the most contentious aspect of the measure.

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Support for LURC

Constituent Dorothy Raymond of Norway thanks Rep. Tom Windsor, R-Norway, for his support of Maine's North Woods and the Land Use Regulation Commission and warns of the dangers of LD 1798, which would roll back protections on Maine's treasured places.

Headline

Keschl spoke against LURC reform bill, keeping his word

A constituent thanks Rep. Dennis Keschl, R-Belgrade, for testifying against portions of LD 1798 that threaten the North Woods.

Headline

LURC change too risky

The initiative to improve the way the Land Use Regulation Commission functions was, at the conceptual level, sound. But the bill to tranform LURC that has won committee approval contains some fatal flaws. The eight counties that have the largest amount of Unorganized Territory could see development that permanently degrades the environment and causes long-term harm to communities.

News Release | Environment Maine

Committee Votes to Rubber Stamp Bill that Threatens Maine's North Woods After Governor Twists Arms

At a work session in Augusta, the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry voted to approve LD 1798, the LePage administration bill that would roll back 40 years of protections for the North Woods. Gov. Paul LePage met with Republican committee members earlier today to insist that they fall in line.

Headline

Master guide opposes bill that changes LURC role

Master Maine guide Bill Stevens has been following the progress of LD 1798, a bill that would turn land use regulation of the unorganized territories over to county governments, and is wholeheartedly against it.

Headline

Lawmakers make some progress on LURC reform bill

Members of a legislative committee began vetting a list of proposed reforms to the Land Use Regulation Commission on Thursday but opted to delay until next week debate on the most contentious issue surrounding the agency.

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