SWOAM Advocacy

Testimony of Tom Doak
Executive Director
Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine
In Support of LD 347
An Act to Improve Landowner Relations
March 1, 2007

Senator Bryant, Representative Jackson and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, my name is Tom Doak, Executive Director of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine (SWOAM) speaking today in favor of LD 347 An Act To Improve Landowners Relations.

For far too long, we have failed to deal with the issue of Landowner Relations. Probably most if not everyone in this room, can agree that there is a problem and it needs to be addressed. Sure there have been real attempts to try, but we find ourselves today with no central organization around this issue and no one seemingly wanting to take responsibility. The future of having places to pursue outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, atving, bird watching, cross country skiing, fishing - in fact a large part of the tourism industry - relies on dealing with the issue of Landowner Relations. Landowner enjoyment of their land, their willingness to share the use of their lands with others, as well as conservation of Maine’s natural resources depends on dealing with this issue. That is why we are supporting this bill.

First, I want to applaud the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and the Warden Service for making response to landowner complaints a priority this past fall. The feedback I have received from landowners is very positive. To us this shows that there are steps that can be taken that can make a difference. I am sure the department can share the results with you. We are encouraged that there are indications that the priority to responding to landowner issues will continue.

We appreciate that the issue of Landowner Relations and dealing with issues around public use of private land is a big job. And we don’t expect the Warden Service to take it on alone. My sense is there is emerging a greater understanding that this issue needs attention and that individuals and groups, representing both users and landowners, are willing to be part of the solutions. But someone needs to take the lead. The Warden Service seems like a natural fit and frankly landowners want to be considered as important as the fish and wildlife of this State. The department licenses many of the activities that, while they may represent a minority of users, result in many of the complaints. Many of those complaints are violations of law and require enforcement capability. The Warden Service is visible, known to landowners and violators, and respected by landowners. It seems a natural fit. In fact until last year, there was a warden position with Landowner Relations in the title.

We asked that this bill be brought forward because we feel strongly that things have to change for users as well as landowners.

There is good news. It is not too late to deal with this issue. The majority of landowners still allow public use. But things are headed in the wrong direction. We know that the number one reason (and there are others) that landowners restrict or prohibit access is that there is public use occurring that is inappropriate, unwanted, damaging etc. and they can not stop it or get help in addressing the problem. For many landowners, they are using the only recourse left to them.

How the issue of Landowner Relations is dealt with now will define outdoor recreational issues, opportunities and access for years to come. From our view, the status quo is unacceptable. We are not going to see changes in the trends without changes in how we deal with this issue. Landowners are frustrated. Users are frustrated. We have waited too long already to really tackle this issue. We need to act now.