Maine farmers who own property contaminated by forever chemicals could have the option to have the property purchased by the state.
Rep. Wayne Parry is sponsoring a bill that would require the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to purchase the land of a commercial farm that was found to have been contaminated by PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, prior to Jan. 1, 2023.
The chemicals are found in sludge that was used as fertilizer on farms for decades. They’ve been linked to serious health issues like cancer and high blood pressure.
According to our info partners at CBS 13 News, the owner could decline or accept the offer, or agree to sell only part of the land.
The land would be assessed at fair market value, not taking into consideration the PFAS contamination, but at no less than $20,000 per acre.
The bill has some bipartisan support and was expected to go to a public hearing on Monday.
