RESTORE speaks out on Plum Creek plan for northern Maine woods

The unincorporated wilds of Maine deserve protection, not suburbanization as Plum Creek proposes for the Moosehead Lake region.

Here’s a brief overview of the plan from Jym St. Pierre, director of RESTORE: The North Woods:

“There has been an outpouring of public concern in recent years in Maine about our forests. Misplaced development, unsustainable forest practices, and unstable ownerships threaten the ecological integrity, traditional recreational access, economic viability, and scenic beauty of Maine’s North Woods wilderness.

“In April 2005, Plum Creek corporation submitted a proposal for the largest residential real estate development in Maine history. It included 975 house lots, a 3,000-acre destination resort at Brassua Lake, a 500-acre resort at Lily Bay on Moosehead Lake, and other developments. After more than 1,000 Mainers turned out at public meetings to voice their concerns about the ramifications of such sprawling development, Plum Creek said they listened and reworked their proposal.”

In April 2006, Plum Creek presented a revised plan. It still included nearly 60 subdivisions with 975 house lots, two resorts, and associated development. Plum Creek’s Moosehead plan 2.0 raised even more concerns than the first version.

Today, one year to the day since the last plan was unveiled, Plum Creek has offered plan 3.0. There are a few improvements; some of the development has been moved around. However, the plan it still presents a lot of problems. Plum Creek’s newest plan includes just as many subdivision lots, just as many resorts, more residential units in total, and nearly twice as many acres.”

Read the full statement from St. Pierre. You know what to do. There is a lot at stake here. Not the least of which is one of the best remaining wildlands in the Northeast.