Gov. Paul LePage says he wants to merge the state agriculture and conservation departments into one to “strengthen the natural resource economy.”
“Farming and forestry can be a significant part of our economic engine and both these industries are important to Maine’s future,” LePage said in a release. “These two departments are very similar and today divide funding resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes sense for these two agencies to work closer together towards economic prosperity.”
The Maine Legislature would have to approve the plan. During his tenure, Gov. John Baldacci tried to consolidate the four departments of agriculture, conservation, inland fisheries and wildlife and marine resources, but failed.
