Dear Editor:

I would like to thank Sen. Chris Johnson for supporting LD 1378. The governor has vetoed the bill and I encourage him and Rep. Deborah Sanderson to override his veto.

The governor is holding the Lands for Maine’s Future (LMF) bonds hostage as a political bargaining chip putting 30 conservation projects at risk. Recently, both the Senate and House voted by more than a two-thirds margin in favor of LD 1378. This bill would require the governor to release voter-approved bonds unless there are legitimate, non-political reasons for holding them.

Sixty percent of Maine voters in 2010 and 2012 voted to invest these conservation funds. In Lincoln County in 2012, 60 percent of voters supported the LMF Bond. Failure to override the veto would devastate many conservation activities statewide.

Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association’s 70-acre Marsh River Preserve in Newcastle is just one example of an outstanding project that received funding support from LMF. This extensive intertidal ecosystem is important to the ecology and rare natural beauty of the Sheepscot River watershed and beyond. It is an area of statewide significance with features such as important coastal wading bird habitat, high value estuarine habitat, rare plant and mussel habitat, rare bird habitat and waterfowl wintering habitat. LMF funds helped protect the area from planned development while providing the public access to a beautiful preserve. The preserve is open dawn to dusk and opportunities for hunters, hikers and birders abound.

The Marsh River Preserve is just one example of LMF’s benefits to the local community and state at-large. Thank you, Sen. Johnson, for voting in support of LD 1378. I urge you and Rep. Sanderson to vote to override the veto and support the will of Maine’s people and our own community.

Kristin Pennock

Whitefield