LD 489 Language: The people of the State have the right to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural and healthful qualities of the environment. The State may not infringe upon these rights. The State shall conserve, protect and maintain the State’s natural resources, including, but not limited to, its air, water, land and ecosystems for the benefit of all the people, including generations yet to come.

Dear Representatives,
As staff, volunteers, and board members of land trusts, watershed associations, lake associations, and river associations, we are writing to urge you to support the Pine Tree Amendment. We believe passage of this amendment will be important for the preservation of the Maine that we love.

The Pine Tree Amendment is a profound statement of values that resonates with our mission. We protect forests, mountains, wetlands, coastlines, lakes, and rivers because we believe that all people in Maine should have access to a clean and healthy environment.

We know that Maine people share these values. Like us, they walk the trails, fish in the lakes, paddle the rivers, and bring their children outdoors to enjoy the beauty of Maine wherever they can find it. We also know  that the Maine state government shares these values too, particularly through the popular Land for Maine’s Future program.

We believe that people in Maine should have a constitutional amendment which provides a right to the preservation of the natural, cultural, and healthful qualities of the environment to benefit today and future generations.

We urge you to support the Pine Tree Amendment.