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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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LURC's role needs to be reaffirmed, not subject to local political pressure

Scenic beauty, peace and quiet, a sense of remoteness -- qualities it is impossible to assign a dollar value to -- are resources as important to the tourist industry and to Maine residents alike as a sustainable wood supply is to the forest-products industry.

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LURC reform bill draws large crowd, strong emotions

Lawmakers heard hours of passionate testimony Thursday on the economic and cultural importance of Maine's vast, undeveloped forests as they began work on a bill that could affect planning and permitting on nearly half of the acreage in the state.

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