Natural Resources

Bringing together state agencies and other interests and coordinating development and implementation of state natural resources policy is a central part of SPO’s statutory mission. The state's economy and resources –its land, water, and energy –cross all of its political boundaries. Policies regarding them also cross bureaucratic boundaries; they are not the domain of any single agency or interest. At times their interests conflict. At times the interests of one agency are not fully known or appreciated by the other. The Legislature tasked SPO with coordinating state natural resource policy and implementation of issues of interagency concern. More specifically, these policies are intended to integrate the development of the state's economy with the conservation of its natural resources.

Much of SPO's natural resources planning work occurs through the Land and Water Resources Council (LWRC).

In addition, SPO houses the Land for Maine 's Future Program, the Maine Coastal Program, some energy policy responsibilities, and the state's waste management and recycling program and land use planning functions.

SPO also serves on and staffs the Governor's Steering Committee on Natural Resource-based Industries.