Moosehead conservation deal marks the end of the beginning

Maine Sunday Telegram
Sunday, October 29, 2006

The outlines of what would be one of the largest conservation agreements in U.S. history became clearer this past week.

Plum Creek and three conservation groups announced they'd finalized a $35 million deal to conserve 345,000 acres in the Moosehead Lake region, mostly by easement.

What remains unclear is how this private transaction will influence the Land Use Regulation Commission's review of Plum Creek's massive development proposal for the region.

The conservation deal hinges on LURC's approval of the Plum Creek "lake concept" scheme. The agreement is still valid even if the plan's current configurations 975 house lots, two major resorts, and a whole lot of lakefront development is revised.

That's good: Revision would make it better.

It's easy to demonize Plum Creek for trying to maximize its development. But that's simply the nature of for-profit corporations. LURC, on the other hand, is charged with protecting the natural character of Maine's 10.4 million acres of unorganized territories while providing for appropriate development.

The lake concept format requires conservation donations from Plum Creek to balance otherwise inappropriate development. Clearly, a $35 million deal shouldn't qualify for consideration.

Should LURC require more than Plum Creek's proposed 71,000-acres donation, it might want to ask for more shoreline protection. Lake shores may have high development potential, but the sweep of unbroken forest into crystalline waters is what's most special about the North Woods.

That's the bargain LURC should be looking to strike.

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