weary
10-27-2006, 11:10
AMC and the Nature Conservancy have cemented the deal announced a few months ago in which they earn the right to buy easements and lands if Maine approves a giant Plum Creek development in the Moosehead Lake region.
In my opinion the deal virtually assures approval of the development. It provides an important buffer for the Appalachian Trail, and a terrible blow to those of us who favor keeping the Maine wildlands wild.
Here's the story:
The Nature Conservancy said Tuesday it has agreed to pay Plum Creek Timber Co. a total of $35 million to preserve 345,000 acres of northern Maine forestland and create the nation's second-largest conservation easement.
Plum Creek joined the Nature Conservancy and two other conservation groups last March in announcing agreement on a "framework" to protect forest land in the Moosehead Lake region through purchases and easements. The permanent conservation hinges on whether Plum Creek is allowed to develop two resorts and 1,000 homes in the Moosehead area.
The plan is currently before the Land Use Regulation Commission, which has been waiting for the details on the conservation deal.
The deal has been controversial because some say it will pressure the public and the commission to accept development that will change the character of the Moosehead region.
Under the agreement announced Tuesday, the Nature Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Forest Society of Maine have five years from the date of LURC's approval of the concept plan to raise the funds needed to acquire parcels or easements on nearly 345,000 acres. A total of 270,000 acres would be protected by a no-development easement.
"The agreement means we can conserve vast stretches of forest near Moosehead Lake, protecting forest-products jobs, natural resources and public access, including hunting, fishing, hiking, backcountry and motorized use," said Mike Tetreault, executive director of the Nature Conservancy.
"With these purchases, Maine will have established a contiguous stretch of a million and a half acres of conserved lands stretching westward from Baxter State Park and northward to the St. John River."
While the purchases are contingent on LURC approval of the Plum Creek concept plan, neither the Nature Conservancy nor the two other conservation groups has taken a position on the plan itself.
The nation's largest conservation easement became a reality in 2001 with the closing of a $28 million deal to protect more than 762,000 acres of Pingree family forest land in Maine.
Portland Press Herald story submitted by Weary
In my opinion the deal virtually assures approval of the development. It provides an important buffer for the Appalachian Trail, and a terrible blow to those of us who favor keeping the Maine wildlands wild.
Here's the story:
The Nature Conservancy said Tuesday it has agreed to pay Plum Creek Timber Co. a total of $35 million to preserve 345,000 acres of northern Maine forestland and create the nation's second-largest conservation easement.
Plum Creek joined the Nature Conservancy and two other conservation groups last March in announcing agreement on a "framework" to protect forest land in the Moosehead Lake region through purchases and easements. The permanent conservation hinges on whether Plum Creek is allowed to develop two resorts and 1,000 homes in the Moosehead area.
The plan is currently before the Land Use Regulation Commission, which has been waiting for the details on the conservation deal.
The deal has been controversial because some say it will pressure the public and the commission to accept development that will change the character of the Moosehead region.
Under the agreement announced Tuesday, the Nature Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Forest Society of Maine have five years from the date of LURC's approval of the concept plan to raise the funds needed to acquire parcels or easements on nearly 345,000 acres. A total of 270,000 acres would be protected by a no-development easement.
"The agreement means we can conserve vast stretches of forest near Moosehead Lake, protecting forest-products jobs, natural resources and public access, including hunting, fishing, hiking, backcountry and motorized use," said Mike Tetreault, executive director of the Nature Conservancy.
"With these purchases, Maine will have established a contiguous stretch of a million and a half acres of conserved lands stretching westward from Baxter State Park and northward to the St. John River."
While the purchases are contingent on LURC approval of the Plum Creek concept plan, neither the Nature Conservancy nor the two other conservation groups has taken a position on the plan itself.
The nation's largest conservation easement became a reality in 2001 with the closing of a $28 million deal to protect more than 762,000 acres of Pingree family forest land in Maine.
Portland Press Herald story submitted by Weary