Last in a series of stories explaining referendum questions that will be on the November ballot.

Maine voters will have a chance to weigh in this November on a $30 million bond to maintain, expand and improve recreational trails around the state.

Question 4 is one of five statewide referendums on the ballot this year. If approved, it would provide the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry with the funds to distribute through a grant process over a four-year period.

Advocates have called the bond – the first of its kind in Maine – a historic opportunity, and it’s backed by a broad coalition of supporters who say it is especially needed to boost the rural economy and repair damage from storms last winter that have taken a toll on Maine trails.

Here are a few things to know about Question 4:

What is Question 4?

Do you favor a $30,000,000 bond issue to invest in the design, development and maintenance for nonmotorized, motorized and multiuse trails statewide, to be matched by at least $3,000,000 in private and public contributions?

Question 4 asks voters if they want to authorize a $30 million bond to provide grants to organizations and communities for non-motorized, motorized and multiuse trail projects.

How did Question 4 come about?

Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, sponsored L.D. 1156, the legislation behind the bond. She said the idea was presented to her by a coalition of organizations and people, including the Natural Resources Council of Maine, interested in maintaining, expanding and improving the state’s trails.

Currently, a lot of trail maintenance and construction is done by volunteer groups and nonprofits, which can struggle to recruit people to do the work or find the funding, although snowmobile and ATV clubs can access a small amounts of state money and there is also a small amount of federal funding for trail work, Fay said.

“I’ve heard a lot of conversation about how the volunteer base is stretched thin and a lot of people doing this work are getting older,” Fay said. “The cost to maintain, upgrade and build new trails is, I think, becoming harder and harder for small organizations to keep up with, particularly if you look at the damage that was done because of the storms last winter. … That’s the type of thing this bond hopes to address.”

The bill passed the House of Representatives without a roll call, was unanimously endorsed by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and enacted 29-3 in the Senate before being signed by Gov. Janet Mills.

How will the money be allocated?

The money would be expended by the Bureau of Parks and Lands through a competitive grant process. Municipalities, qualified divisions of state government and nonprofits would be eligible to apply.

The funding would be distributed over a four-year period, and applicants would be required to demonstrate at least 10% in matching contributions. Approximately 25% of the funds would be required to go to supporting nonmotorized trails, 25% to motorized trails and 50% to multiuse trails.

Any trails funded in whole or in part by the bond money would need to be publicized for public use. Priority would be given to projects that follow sustainable design standards and incorporate accessibility and inclusive design standards.

What are some examples of the work that could be done?

Advocates say the money is desperately needed to meet demand, to make repairs from extreme rain and other weather impacts, to expand trail networks, to make them more accessible to people of all ages and abilities, and to give an economic boost to rural areas.

“Pretty much all over the state there are really good ideas,” said Pete Didisheim, advocacy director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “The hope is that if the trails bond passes, it will create possibilities that otherwise would just stay on the drawing board if we didn’t put the money there.”

Some ideas include the construction of a trail network in a community forest in Rumford, mountain biking trails in the Moosehead region, and new trails in the Katahdin and Island Falls areas.

There’s also a lot of interest in improving accessibility to trails for older people and those with disabilities.

“Yes, we have maybe 60 or 70 accessible trails, but that’s a small percentage and they’re not distributed equally in all parts of the state so they’re not necessarily accessible to a lot of people who do want to get out into the outdoors but don’t have a lot of options for doing so,” Didisheim said.

Has Maine done this before?

No. Advocates of the proposal have highlighted its historic nature in calling for support. This would be the first-ever opportunity for Mainers to support a trails bond, a stark contrast to the 12 highway bonds totaling $1.1 billion since 2007, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

What is the total cost?

The bond is projected to cost taxpayers $38.2 million after interest is included over its 10-year repayment schedule, the state treasurer said.

Is anyone opposing Question 4?

Partnership for Maine Trails, a coalition of groups supporting Question 4, has raised about $60,000 so far, Didisheim said. No political action committees have been formed to oppose the question.

According to the Natural Resources Council of Maine, more than 520 Maine towns, organizations, businesses, and ATV and snowmobile clubs have endorsed the bond. They include the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, L.L.Bean, the Maine Municipal Association, the Maine Tourism Association and others.

Fay said she hasn’t heard any opposition to Question 4.

“A lot of the reason I live here (in Maine) and I think many others do is that we like to be outside and have a place to walk, ride a bike, snowmobile or ATV or do whatever is your preferred way of getting outdoors,” she said. “It’s important, and it’s important for Maine’s economy.

“Other states that are outdoor destinations are investing more in all types of trails, so I think it’s important for us to think about that and to remember that’s one of the reasons why we live here.”

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