AUGUSTA – Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, presented bills requesting bond funds to preserve a forest lodge in Upton, pay for the Rumford Career Center and cover the cost of infrastructure improvements in the flood plains in Canton Village.

His are among other bond requests made by different legislators, all seeking to get in on Gov. John Baldacci’s proposed $397 million bond package. They were presented to the Legislature’s Appropriations and Business, Research and Economic Development committees on Monday.

There is rich heritage in the Upton woods, and some of the state’s best trout fishing, Bryant said. Maine author Louise Dickinson Rich penned most of her stories in the Upton woods, and a non-profit group is working to preserve the area where she lived.

Bryant’s bill requests $1 million to acquire the property. It also would appropriate $500,000 from the General Fund for the Department of Conservation to repair and maintain the property, according to the bill text.

“The area has everything necessary to be among Maine’s finest conservation lands,” Bryant said during his testimony to the Appropriations Committee Monday.

Canton has been repeatedly affected by floods, Bryant added when discussing another of his measures. Efforts have been made to relocate the village’s houses, but in order for a “vibrant town center” to be rebuilt, Bryant said rebuilding the infrastructure has to be done on higher ground.

Bryant requested $2 million in bond funds to help the town with both flood recovery and prevention efforts.

He also said that Rumford’s state career center has been threatened with closure because of federal aid cutbacks. Bryant requested $200,000 to temporarily fund the center.

The center is the only Department of Labor presence in the River Valley region, Bryant said.

If it were to close, dislocated workers – many without transportation – would have to travel to Lewiston for services.

Other requests for bond money, as presented to the legislative committees, included funds for municipal high speed Internet access, recreation centers, research funds and historical preservation.