RAYE SHOREBIRD BILL ATTRACTS WIDE CO-SPONSORSHIP

Legislation would ease coastal and inland shoreline setbacks; afford protections for clammers

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

AUGUSTA, ME – Senator Kevin L. Raye (R-Perry) has won strong bipartisan co-sponsorship of his emergency legislation to address concerns with a controversial significant wildlife habitat law imposing a 250-foot setback on many coastal and inland waters. Raye’s bill is LD 1014, “An Act To Ensure Reasonable and Equitable Land Use Opportunities near Shorebird, Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat.”

Led by the Washington County Senator, a bipartisan coalition of 50 legislators representing all 16 counties is sponsoring the legislation. Among the cosponsors is the entire Washington County legislative delegation.

The bill’s key provisions would:

Ø repeal the 250-foot setback for shorebird feeding and staging areas, which constitute the vast majority of affected property, restoring the pre-existing 75 foot setback;

Ø reduce the 250-foot setback for shorebird roosting areas to 150 feet;

Ø restore the pre-existing 100-foot set-backs along inland waterfowl and wading bird areas;

Ø exempt activities of clammers and marine worm diggers; and

Ø grandfather lots in existence prior to Sept. 12, 2006, the date when maps depicting affected areas first became publicly available.

“I am very pleased with the strong support among legislators on both sides of the aisle and from across the state for correcting the overreaching and unreasonable restrictions imposed by existing law,” said Raye.

DEP Commissioner David Littell recently proposed a plan that would also restore the 75-foot setback in shorebird feeding and staging areas, but Littell’s version would impose strict new cutting restrictions that would prohibit affected coastal landowners from ensuring a view of the water. Unlike Raye’s bill, Littell’s proposal also leaves intact the 250-foot setback for shorebird roosting areas and inland waterfowl and wading bird areas.

“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,” Raye said. “Fairness dictates that we correct the mistakes of the ill-advised law without devising an alternative way to similarly impact landowners and devalue their property.”

“I believe LD 1014 promotes a reasonable balance that restores landowner rights while recognizing the significance of the more sensitive roosting areas. It is my hope that the Natural Resources Committee and the full Legislature will come together to enact this bill and afford reasonable protection to birds and people alike,” said Raye.

Eighteen Senators, constituting an outright majority of the Senate, are sponsoring LD 1014. In addition to Raye, they are Sens. Paula Benoit (R-Phippsburg), Lynn Bromley (D-South Portland), Dennis Damon (D-Ellsworth), Dana Dow (R-Waldoboro), Walter Gooley (R-Farmington), David Hastings (R-Fryeburg), Barry Hobbins (D-Saco), Earl McCormick (R-West Gardiner), John Nutting (D-Leeds), Debra Plowman (R-Hampden), Richard Rosen (R-Bucksport), Christine Savage (R-Union), Elizabeth Schneider (D-Old Town), Roger Sherman (R-Hodgdon), Douglas Smith (R-Dover-Foxcroft), Lois Snowe-Mello (R-Poland) and Karl Turner (R-Cumberland).

In addition, 32 House members signed on to the bill, including Rep. Linda Valentino (D-Saco), Herbert Clark (D-Millinocket), Henry Joy (R-Crystal), Joseph Tibbetts (R-Columbia), James Annis (R-Dover-Foxcroft), Bernard Ayotte (R-Van Buren), Patricia Blanchette (D-Bangor), Timothy Carter (D-Bethel), Dean Cleary (D-Houlton), Margaret Craven (D-Lewiston), Robert Crosthwaite (R-Ellsworth), Phil Curtis (R-Madison), Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou), Ian Emery (R-Cutler), Donna Finley (R-Skowhegan), Jane Crosby Giles (R-Belfast), Abigail Holman (R-Fayette), Sarah Lewin (R-Eliot), Jacqueline Lundeen (D-Mars Hill), Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay Harbor); Ed Mazurek (D-Rockland), John McDonough (R-Scarborough), Howard McFadden (R-Dennysville), Everett McLeod (R-Lee), Anne Perry (D-Calais), Wendy Pieh (D-Bremen), Donald Pilon (D-Saco), David Richardson (R-Carmel), Thomas Saviello (I-Wilton), Joshua Tardy (R-Newport), Charles Theriault (D-Madawaska) and Robert Walker (R-Lincolnville).

A hearing date has not yet been announced for LD 1014. Those wishing to keep abreast of the bill can visit http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/Documents/hearing/ANPHFrame.htm and check the Natural Resources Committee listings to see when a hearing is scheduled.

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