Issue Position: STANDING UP FOR THE OUTDOORS

Issue Position

Protecting our environment

I am committed to protecting the integrity of Maine's environment and that of the Nation -- and to providing access to it. People love Maine because of its natural beauty -- protecting our environment is not only the right thing to do, it's also smart business. I support strong enforcement of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, two laws crafted by Maine Senator Ed Muskie, and I also support carbon-reduction initiatives and increased vehicle fuel efficiency standards. I oppose drilling in ANWR -- it has a relatively small supply of oil that would come at great environmental risk to extract. Further, any new developments in the energy industry -- like fracking for natural gas, and running the Keystone Pipeline through the U.S. -- should be subject to all appropriate environmental safeguards to protect both the American people and the American land.

Supporting businesses and quality of place

Tourism adds some $10 billion to Maine's economy every year. Tourists come to Maine to see its rugged coasts, the beautiful mountains, and fertile farmlands. Maine is itself a unique brand that is marketed to the rest of the country and the world. When I was governor, we started the "Get Real, Get Maine" campaign to raise Maine's brand profile, and more must be done to add value to our great products.

I also know that unreasonable regulations can hurt businesses and a balance must always be sought. My approach is that regulation should be narrowly focused on the problem at hand and not be so broad that unnecessary burdens are created without concomitant benefit. As governor, we developed the DEP Small Business Program, for example, which continues to provide assistance for pollution prevention and compliance. Environmental rules should be clear and the process predictable and timely, maximizing the protection of the environment and minimizing the regulatory cost.

Keeping Maine the way it should be

In the 1970s I helped craft Maine's anti-billboard law, as well as our bottle return bill. I have been involved in land conservation since 1987, when I helped develop the Land for Maine's Future program, and when I was governor, we put more of Maine's land into conservation than all of the land conserved in Maine's history, combined. We also helped create the strongest mercury and dioxin limits in the Nation, and now our water and air is cleaner for it. Access is the other half of the conservation coin -- we worked to insure that conservation lands would be open to the public and available for traditional uses like fishing and hunting. We took our commitment to access to the outdoors seriously -- Maine was the second state in the Union, for example, to offer hunting and fishing licenses on-line, and we built or reconstructed over 100 boat access sites throughout the State.

I have never supported the idea of a new North Woods National Park in Maine and don't now. The main issue to me is control -- we should not lock up this land and send the key to Washington; it's that simple. Land is an integral part of the history, culture and character of Maine. Generations of hard working people have used the land for agriculture and forestry while allowing hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. Mainers have a very unique relationship with the land and appreciate their neighbors willing to share access. This has been my position since I first heard the idea mentioned back in the nineties. I've been a strong supporter of land conservation in Maine, but only when we retain control; a national park would not meet this standard.

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