Maine land use regulators are seeking public input on the workshop draft of the 2008 Comprehensive Land Use Plan that will guide future growth on about 10.5 million acres in Maine’s unorganized territories.

The Land Use Regulation Commission staff has already begun work on the preliminary comprehensive plan and hopes to involve as many people as possible before the proposal is finalized.

The plan is regularly updated in order to analyze land use and development trends and determine effects upon the area and establish a future vision for the jurisdiction.

The public workshops to be held around the state in late April and early May are the second phase in a three-phase process, according to a LURC document. The first phase was research and included public discussions with the commission on the project. The last stage will include more formal public hearings. Public input will continue to be incorporated as the plan goes through the last two phases.

The workshops offer an opportunity for the public and interested groups to review the draft of the plan and participate in public discussions in informal proceedings before a final draft is presented to the public for review and comment through a formal public hearing process.

The existing plan was referred to many times during discussions of several projects in recent years including development of commercial spring water pumping stations and wind farms in unorganized territories.

To look at the workshop draft plan go to www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/index.shtml.

“It is important to us that the public have ample opportunity to read the draft plan and offer comments based on their own interpretation of what it says,” LURC staff member, Sarah Giffen stated in a memo.

If someone is unable to attend one of the workshops, they can send written comments to either [email protected] or Land Use Regulation Commission, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME, 04333-0022.