The purpose of this legislation is to recapitalize the Land for Maine's Future program with $60,000,000 over 3 years to continue Maine's land conservation efforts, leveraging a minimum of $30,000,000 in required matching funds. The funding priorities include:

1. Conservation properties in the rapidly developing areas of southern and coastal Maine;

2. Public access to outdoor recreational opportunities statewide;

3. Protection via easement of traditional public access and uses in the North Woods and support for sustainable forestry and strategically targeted fee acquisitions in areas of very high public value;

4. Farmland protection to support an economically viable agricultural sector;

5. Public access to coastal and inland waters; and

6. Highly significant wildlife habitat and ecological areas.

This bond issue also provides additional funds of $5,000,000 for capital improvements to state parks, historic sites and other state-owned parks, including $1,000,000 for Capitol Park in Augusta. This bond anticipates a total of an additional $30,250,000 in matching funds from federal and other sources.