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SavageLlama
01-25-2006, 10:56
Deal adds 6,000 acres to Baxter State Park
By GLENN ADAMS
Associated Press Newswires
January 25, 2006

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A $14 million land-purchase agreement that awaits private funding and legislative approval would add more than 6,000 acres to northern Maine's Baxter State Park.

The agreement was negotiated by the nonprofit conservation group Trust for Public Land and includes acquisition of Katahdin Lake and its pristine shoreline, which the state has long sought. The property includes hiking trails and paddling and fishing opportunities in one of Maine's most scenic and unspoiled inland regions.

The 6,015 acres to be purchased borders seven miles of the eastern boundary of Baxter State Park, site of mile-high Mount Katahdin at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The southern end of the 2,160-mile trail is at Springer Mountain, Georgia.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci said acquisition of Katahdin Lake has been a top priority since the early 1900s when Gov. Percival Baxter defined his vision for the park. Baxter purchased more than two dozen parcels totaling more then 200,000 acres, which he donated to the people of the state.

"Today, nearly 37 years after Governor Baxter's death, the opportunity to complete his vision has finally come our way," said Baldacci, adding that he's encouraged by the pledges that have been received so far.

Baldacci and supporters of the transaction scheduled a news conference Wednesday to formally announce the agreement.

Baxter State Park is located in the heart of northern Maine, whose vast forests were long the domain of paper companies. In recent years, thousands of acres of forests have changed hands and been placed out of reach of developers through purchases, conservation easements and sales of development rights.

A proposal to create a Maine Woods National Park, which would encompass 3.2 million acres including Baxter State Park and parts of the Appalachian Trail among other portions of northern and western Maine, has drawn mixed reactions in the state.

The Katahdin Lake acquisition has drawn initial commitments of $3.3 million so far from private donors, according to the trust. An option to purchase the Katahdin Lake tract from Gardner Land Co. of Lincoln ends July 1.

Once the purchase is complete, the land will be turned over to the state authority that oversees Baxter State Park. The trust's New England director, Whitney Hatch, called the purchase "a significant endeavor" for the San Francisco-based organization, which has helped to complete more than 3,000 land conservation projects in 46 states.

Maine Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan said the purchase in Maine will save an old-growth forest near Katahdin Lake from woodcutters' saws and developers' equipment. He called it "the most important conservation project in Maine since Governor Baxter purchased the lands around Mount Katahdin."

Legislative approval is needed to finalize the transaction, which has strong support of House and Senate leaders from both parties.

McGowan said he's confident sufficient private funds can be raised for the purchase in the limited time allotted. Because the project completes Baxter's vision of the park, it will have special appeal to corporate and other private donors, he said.

The purchase includes land leased to the privately owned and operated Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps, which date back to 1885. The camps will remain in operation under a 25 year lease after the land is added to the park.

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On the Net:

Trust for Public Land: http://www.tpl.org

Baxter State Park Authority: http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/

K-Man
01-25-2006, 12:26
Sweet!! I hope they come up with the funds and approval. I didn't know about the Maine Woods National Park idea. What do whiteblazers feel about this and how would it impact the AT?

DavidNH
01-25-2006, 13:32
This is wonderful news.. this park is truly a priceless gem.

As for the Maine Woods National Park..I think it's a wonderful idea...but I don't know that Mainers will go for it...given there apparent distain for public (federal or state) ownership of land. The idea has been around for several years now..has not really caught on.

folks can google Maine Woods National park or restore the north woods for info.

DavidNH