Sen. Breen on Knight’s Pond acquisition, LePage’s obstructionism

AUGUSTA — Sen. Cathy Breen of Falmouth, the lead Senate Democrat on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement regarding the successful acquisition of Knight’s Pond and Blueberry Hill.

The purchase, led by the Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust and the Royal River Conservation Trust, will put 215 acres into conservation for public use. According to the Portland Press Herald, the two groups used $200,000 of their own funds to complete the deal.

The groups spent their own money despite being promised $225,000 worth of bond funds through the Land for Maine’s Future program.

“I want to congratulate the these two organizations for securing the Knight’s Pond and Blueberry Hill Preserve,” Breen said. “Both organizations have stretched to their limits, putting their own existence on the line to fill the gap left by missing funds from Land for Maine’s Future.  Their willingness to front the money needed for closing is a testament to the local community and the private donors who have supported this project for many years. Now we know that this jewel will be saved for pond hockey, camping, and hiking for generations to come.”

The groups were forced to dig deep because Gov. Paul LePage refuses to obey the will of Maine voters, who approved the bond spending for this and dozens of other LMF projects at the ballot box.

“This victory for our communities does not mean Gov. LePage is off the hook,” Breen said. “He must immediately release the dozens of other LMF projects around the state from limbo by issuing the voter-approved conservation bonds. That includes those those obligated to Knight’s Hill and Blueberry Pond, which are needed to reimburse these two great land trusts for money they should never have had to spend in the first place.”

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