A C T I O N A L E R T

SAVE MOOSEHEAD o STOP PLUM CREEK'S DEVELOPMENT PLAN

WHAT: The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) is accepting
comments from the public on issues that LURC should consider
in its review of a "concept plan" for 426,000 acres owned by Plum Creek
Timber in the Moosehead Lake region. This is an important
opportunity to show LURC and the State that this is the wrong kind of development
in the wrong place. Plum Creek's proposal is the largest
single real estate development in Maine history. It represents wildlands
sprawl. We need a different vision that would permanently protect the
public values of the Moosehead region.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Submit your comments in writing to LURC, 22 State House Station,
Augusta, ME 04333-0022 (please send a blind copy to
RESTORE, 9 Union Street, Hallowell, ME 04347).
You can use information from the key points listed below, but it is best to put
comments into your own words. Always keep your comments respectful.

BACKGROUND
Plum Creek has submitted to LURC a "concept plan" proposal that would
rezone 426,000 acres around Moosehead Lake to allow the largest real
estate development in Maine's history. The proposal includes:

• 975 subdivision lots on 15 lakes and ponds, the Moose River, and
  back lands
• 2 large resorts, including a 3,000 acre destination resort
• 3 RV campgrounds with associated commercial development
• 4 super-sized sporting camps in a so-called "no-development zone"
• up to 116 rental camps spread throughout the area in the
  "no-development zone"
• 1,000 acres for commercial/industrial development
• mitigation includes easements on a 500 ft strip around 55 (mostly
  undevelopable) ponds; 500 ft buffers on the undeveloped portions of
  subdivided ponds protected by landowner associations; floating
  easements for snowmobile and hiking trails; and remaining lands in a forest
  management zone off-limits to residential development for 30 years
  
  KEY POINTS
• The Plum Creek plan represents wildlands sprawl. We need a different
  vision that would permanently protect the public values of the
  Moosehead region.
• The Plum Creek plan, by its size and scope, is inconsistent with
  policies in LURC's Comprehensive Land Use Plan, including
  -to protect "principal values" (forestry and farming; recreational
  opportunities especially for primitive pursuits; high value natural
  resources; and the uniqueness of a vast, largely undeveloped forest);
  -to promote principles of sound planning and multiple use;
  -to guide development to the most suitable locations.
• The Plum Creek plan is inconsistent with LURC's rezoning criteria
  because there is no demonstrated need for the change. The economic
  benefits of development in the Moosehead region, even at a more
  reasonable scale, would be much more positive if done within or
  adjacent to existing communities, such as Greenville.
• LURC should study the adverse impacts of the Plum Creek plan on the
  existing uses and resources. For instance, what will the impacts be on
  traditional public access for recreation, on forestry, and on wildlife
  habitat fragmentation?
• Protection of the natural environment under the Plum Creek plan would
  be much weaker than under the existing zoning, which promotes forest
  management and low intensity recreation.
• The Plum Creek plan has no balance between development and long-term
  conservation.
• A different vision for the Moosehead region would promote a largely
  undeveloped forest, unspoiled shorelines, recreational trails,
  world-class cold water fisheries, high water quality, and sustainable
  development in bordering towns.
• These lands are important to our cultural heritage and to our
  economic future. The Plum Creek plan is the opposite of what is needed to
  maintain the undeveloped character of the Moosehead region and the rest of the
  Maine Woods.
• LURC is responsible for protecting the interest of all Maine people
  in these lands.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- LURC's web page for the Plum Creek plan includes links for all the
documents used to review the plan, as well as updates on the process,
including the full announcement of the scoping sessions:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/reference/resourceplans/moosehead.html
- RESTORE's Plum Creek Watch page, including summary information about
the proposal and a chronology of Plum Creek's land management history
and its activities in Maine:
http://www.restore.org/Maine/plumcreek_watch.html

QUESTIONS?
Please write, email, call or fax
RESTORE: The North Woods, 9 Union Street, Hallowell, ME 04347
207-626-5635 (tel) - 207-626-7944 (fax) - mainewoods@restore.org
11/9/05