A Concerned Conservationist Legislation Edition October 2024
by Sherry Lyons
In summary - "An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Promote the Design, Development and Maintenance of Trails for
Outdoor Recreation and Active Transportation"
As you may imagine, Maine trails get a lot of use. That was especially during the COVID years, as people realized that getting outside in open spaces was generally a safer way to be together. As a result, trails have become worn and degraded from increased human traffic.
Couple that with the extreme weather events that we have had in the past few years, and many trails have become increasingly more damaged.
Many communities would like to improve the trails they currently have. Others would like to do that and increase their trail networks as well, but most lack the funds to do so.
Another goal would be to make some trails more accessible to people of all abilities, and this requires funds for planning and design.
Unfortunately, Maine invests almost no money in our outdoor trail system, even though many towns depend heavily on the money that recreation from hiking, backpacking, biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and all manner of outdoor pursuits bring.
The Trail Bond will help cities and towns invest in the maintaining and creating trail infrastructure to support and promote more outdoor recreation in Maine. It would provide grants to community groups, trail clubs, and municipalities for trail projects that will support high quality trails. Those trails, many in rural areas, bring economic opportunities to small businesses across the state.This bill is supported by over 500 towns, municipalities, organizations and businesses with bipartisan support, sponsored by Representative Jessica Fay (D-Raymond) and eight others.
As far as garden club members are concerned, the Trails Bond will give us more and safer access to all the beauty of nature, from trillium and lady slippers to marsh bulrush, cut-leaved anemone, and unicorn root.
“How the Trails Bond Will Work
Provide $30 million in funding over 4 years in competitive grant funding to towns, organizations and clubs.
Support design, maintenance, or construction of trails, prioritizing accessibility and sustainable design standards.
25% of funds distributed to motorized, 25% to non- motorized, and 50% to multi-use trails.
Funding can be used to leverage other sources of public or private funding
Administered by the Bureau of Parks and Lands.” -sourced from the Natural Resources Council of Maine
Wow Sherry Lyons!!! Thank you for your leadership in providing such timely and valuable information. Love it that trails are getting attention—and we have a beautiful trail through the Sortwell Woods that was reconditioned this summer by volunteers here in Wiscasset. Thank you for bringing this to the GCW members’ attention!