September 18, 2007
Bangor Daily News

By Alan Hutchinson
Executive Director
Forest Society of Maine

The original proposal to the Land Use Regulation Commission for more than 400,000 acres around Moosehead Lake included only 11,000 acres of permanently conserved land and 382,000 acres in a 30-year no-development zone. The public reacted strongly against the small amount of permanent conservation, development in the backcountry, and no guarantees for public access.

In response, FSM, The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club and others began talks with Plum Creek. After many in-depth discussions, Plum Creek's current proposal includes significant additions and improvements.

The amount of land proposed for permanent protection has increased from 11,000 acres to 431,000 acres, an area equal to the size of the state of Rhode Island, and representing 94 percent of the total plan area (compared to 2.5 percent originally). The land will be protected with conservation easements and the acquisition of two tracts of high conservation value: Moose River-No.5 Bog and the Roach ponds.

There would be two easements, each with similar, strong terms: a 90,000-acre easement contributed by Plum Creek as "balance" to the proposed development, and a 266,000-acre easement acquired jointly by TNC, FSM and AMC.

Easement terms have improved significantly, as well. They guarantee public access and recreation, protect fish and wildlife habitats and other ecological values protect archaeological and historic sites, and assure sustainable forestry.

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