The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will hold two online public meetings on a draft update of the policy that directs how the state manages its public lands, state parks and historic sites: Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. Both run on Microsoft Teams and cover the same material.
The document is the Integrated Resource Policy. The bureau says it was adopted in 2000, directs management of more than 700,000 acres of public lands and state park properties, and sets policies for natural, cultural, wildlife, recreation and timber resources. It also directs how the bureau writes management plans. The bureau's management plans page lists one amendment to the policy, from 2007.
Each meeting will give an overview of the update, summarize what the bureau calls the most significant proposed revisions and additions, and explain how to comment. The draft itself is not yet posted: the bureau says it will appear on its planning and acquisition website shortly before the meetings, and the link on the policy page reads "Available before meeting."
Who has reviewed it
Numerous bureau staff contributed to the draft, as did some staff from the Maine Natural Areas Program and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The Maine Forest Service, the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the Office of Outdoor Recreation were among the state agencies that reviewed it and commented, according to the bureau.
Comment deadline
The bureau gives two comment deadlines. Its meeting notices, including those on the policy page, say the period stays open through Dec. 31, 2026. A separate line on the policy page says comments will be accepted for 30 days after the last public meeting, which by our count is Dec. 18. Anyone planning to file should use the earlier date unless the bureau confirms the later one.
Comments go to IRPupdate.DACF@maine.gov or to Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, 22 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0022. Senior Planner Jim Vogel is the contact, at (207) 287-2163. People who need an accommodation to take part should contact the department at dacf@maine.gov or (207) 287-3200 at least five days before the meeting they plan to attend.
