GOV. BALDACCI ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON MAINE'S QUALITY OF PLACE

Gov. John Baldacci, D-Maine, issued the following executive order:

WHEREAS, a recent Brookings Institution study of Maine carries the title "Charting Maine's Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places"; and

WHEREAS, the study states that "land development patterns are?consuming rural land, increasing government costs, and degrading the state's small towns and environments--its true 'brand'"; and

WHEREAS, in order to promote sustainable development the State's competitive strategy must focus on what makes Maine different and distinctive in the increasingly global marketplace; and will only do so by building on demonstrated strengths, by investing in them, and by creating opportunity through widely understood and supported investments in quality - in quality clusters and quality places; and

WHEREAS, in order to ensure sustainable development the State must protect and invest in the assets and amenities that comprise Maine's quality places--our diverse communities, our natural resources, our scenic landscapes, the built-environment, the arts and culture, and the infrastructures that support them; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish the Governor's Council on Maine's Quality Places (hereinafter, "the Council").

Purpose and Duties

The purpose and duties of the Council shall be to:

1. Examine the State's public programs, decision-making processes, investment practices, private market incentives, institutional capacities, and research efforts to assess their readiness to maintain Maine's distinctiveness as a desirable place to live, to work, to raise a family, and to build a useful and productive life; 2. Develop a recommended action plan or plans for protecting, investing in, and enhancing Maine's distinctive quality of place, including creative ways and means to finance such plans;

3. Propose structures, institutions, processes, programs, activities, and investments that will ensure the long-term protection and enhancement of Maine's quality places; and

4. Propose coordination with and among the actions of existing and recommended public, private, and nonprofit "quality of place" efforts in Maine.

To fulfill these duties, the Council shall collaborate and coordinate with the Governor's Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy; the Commissioners of Conservation, Marine Resources, Agriculture, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Environmental Protection, Economic and Community Development, and Administrative and Financial Services; the Director of the State Planning Office; the State Historic Preservation Commission; the Maine Arts Commission; the Governor's Office; the Maine Legislature; Maine's university and community college systems, and other interested stakeholders.

Membership and Support

In order that it may remain small, practical, and focused on developing action-oriented recommendations, the Council shall comprise at least seven (7) and not more than seventeen (17) members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Council will comprise active members of the natural resources, downtown revitalization, historic preservation, smart growth, arts and culture, and rural protection and development communities who have a perspective on and strong interest in the sustainable growth of the State. It will include bipartisan and diverse members with relevant knowledge and experience in all parts of Maine. The members of the Council shall serve without compensation. The Governor shall appoint an Executive Director of the Council, who will schedule, set the agenda for, chair, and preside at Council meetings. Staff support to the Council will be provided by the State Planning Office, the Governor's Office, and other state agencies as needed. The Director of the State Planning Office or designee shall serve as an ex officio Council member.

Effective Date

The effective date of this Executive Order is March 13, 2007, through April 16, 2008.

John E. Baldacci, Governor