Senator opposes new coastal
restrictions; seeks inland changes and protections for clammers
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
“The
Commissioner deserves credit for his plan to eliminate the 250-foot setback for
shorebird feeding areas. But I am very
disappointed at his proposed new restrictions that would prohibit landowners
from clearing their property in order to afford a view of the ocean,” said
Raye. “Many property owners purchased
their properties specifically to enjoy the view. Others own property that has been in their
families for generations and have long planned that their children or
grandchildren will one day build homes.”
“Concern
about being denied a view on their property was at the heart of the outpouring
of concern about the 250-foot setback and, while the Commissioner’s proposal
addresses the distance issue, it appears the new cutting restrictions ensure
that the central problem remains. I don’t
believe this will be acceptable to most property owners,” Raye said.
“The
bottom line is that the law passed last year was ill-advised and the effort to correct
it should not come at the cost of accepting harsh new restrictions. That would defeat the purpose,” Raye stated. “A
genuine effort to fix the problem would restore the pre-existing 75-foot
setback without devising an alternative way to similarly impact landowners and devalue
their property.”
The
Washington County Senator also identified three other issues that he believes should
be addressed by the Legislature in response to last year’s enactment of LD 1981. They include:
§
protections to
ensure that clammers and worm harvesters will not be prohibited from working in
shorebird feeding and roosting areas;
§
restoring
pre-existing 100’ set-backs along inland waterfowl and wading bird areas; and
§
grandfathering
lots in existence prior to Sept. 12, 2006, the date when maps depicting
affected areas first became publicly available.
“Throughout
this process, I have sought to strike a balance that recognizes the
significance of the more sensitive roosting areas while restoring traditional
landowner uses elsewhere. I am also
mindful that this is not only a coastal issue, as I have also heard considerable
concern from inland landowners and municipal officials about the impact of the
new law on properties adjacent to inland waters,” said Raye, who has filed his
own bill to address the issue.
“It
remains my hope that reasonable people will come together and work out the remaining
issues in a fair manner that affords reasonable protection to birds and people
alike. We clearly still have some work
to do to meet that goal,” Senator Raye concluded.
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