Why does the Maine Trails Bond (L.D. 1156) legislation deserve our support? As a state that cultivates so much economic value from the outdoor recreation industry, L.D. 1156 is the catalyst we need to help establish and maintain the infrastructure Maine needs to meet the demand of its adventure seeking residents and visitors.

In a previous article, I advocated the need for state-side funding to compliment the federal funding that supports Maine’s outdoor recreation facilities and economy. The Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 and The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 have provided several important financial provisions for the outdoor recreation industry and infrastructure in the aftermath of the COVID crisis. The Maine Trails Bond legislation is the next piece of the puzzle specifically for Maine’s outdoor recreation industry and would allow Maine to capitalize on these new funding sources.

Recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Maine is in the top five states with the highest percentage of GDP value coming from outdoor recreation, along with states like Montana, Alaska, and Hawaii. Maine’s outdoor recreation economy brings in $3 billion annually, employs tens of thousands of people and has been one of the only industries in Maine to grow nearly 20% in the wake of COVID-19. These numbers should give some insight on just how significant the outdoor recreation economy is to our state. Maine has always been and will increasingly become the place to play and get away for much of the Northeast, yet another reason why the $30 million L.D. 1156 legislation is so important to our state.

The Maine Trails Bond would strengthen an important piece of Maine’s economy and would also send a clear message to the people of Maine, New England, and the rest of the country that we are clearly investing in the future of Maine. People are craving exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities; however, exceptional recreation opportunities come from exceptional outdoor recreation infrastructure. L.D. 1156 will allow communities and organizations all over Maine to design, construct, and maybe even more importantly, maintain trail networks and facilities. The Maine Trails Bond will also increase accessibility, support active transportation which will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, help catch up on deferred maintenance projects, and make Maine a nationally recognized destination for trials.

Mainers have made a living off its natural resources for years. It is time to put more emphasis on advocating for the protection, conservation, and enhancement of our natural resources. Building a better trail infrastructure and maintaining it to a higher standard of care will be good for the people of Maine who live, work, and play here as well as creating more economic value, attract recreators, and others who are looking for a better place to raise their children.

It is important that we continue to work on creating something our children and grandchildren will thank us for. Every national park, national forest, national monument, state park, and municipal recreation facility is proof that regrets don’t come with investments like this. The Maine Trails Bond and along with other recent federal funding can give our people something they can work with to help build something they can treasure.

This is a call to action to pass the Maine Trails Bond Act. As I stated in my previous article back in 2020, “With one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country and widely varied landscapes from the rugged and bold coast of Downeast to the Western Mountains, from the ancient migratory bird-ways of Merrymeeting Bay to the Desert of Maine, from the mighty rivers of the St. John, Penobscot, Androscoggin and Kennebec to the vast shores of Moosehead Lake, and our unmatched fall foliage, fish, and wildlife that are so abundant, we are blessed to call Maine home.”

It is time to act.