Do we really want the North Woods developed?
By Lloyd C. Irland
For many years, the North Woods have been subject to continual development pressures. And now, the pressures for change are growing stronger. Resisting those pressures, with its finger in the dike, has been the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC).
Several bills are now before the Legislature to “Reform” LURC. They would loosen the rules on land use changes in the 10-million acre Unorganized territories and hand the task of land use management to the counties. A legislator once told me that he had campaigned by “running against LURC.” Then once in office, he came to see the merit in the idea and became a staunch defender. Now, some politicians who campaigned on de-regulation feel they have to deliver something to promote “development”.
What is really meant by “development” most of the time? In the North Woods, “development” without reasonable regulation is likely to result in mindless grid subdivisions, often sold as bare land, designed with a nod to compliance with minimal rules and no regard for any of the land’s values. It is wasteful strip sprawl along rural roads. To call this activity “development” is to twist the language beyond recognition.
Yes, some short-term gains in employment would result, but loosening land-use controls is not going to revive long-term prosperity for small communities.
I believe there has to be a middle ground. Abolishing LURC and giving the task of land use management to counties moves us away from that middle ground. Is the answer to hand LURC’s duties to understaffed, tax hungry counties? It is ironic that after so much discussion of eliminating the county governments, it is proposed to give them substantial land-use powers.
One important issue has been the need for predictability, clarity, and stability of regulations. To toss decades of work by LURC out the window, and give that significant responsibility and additional cost to the counties and tell them to start over, does not seem a good way to achieve a middle course or improve stability.
I ask all of you who care about the Maine woods to call, e-mail, or write your legislator and urge them to send LDs 17, 1258, and 1534 to the recycling bin. These bills propose to “Reform” LURC. As these are written, reform means abolish. Ask them to give serious attention to LD 819 — a bill with a few workable ideas to improve LURC.
Lloyd Irland of Wayne served as State Economist for five years and is a forest resources consultant.
