Over 3,500 acres on the South Branch of the Dead River permanently protected

A five and a half square mile parcel of privately owned, ecologically diverse land in Western Maine's High Peaks region on the South Branch of the Dead River, at the headwaters of the Kennebec River, has been permanently protected. The Trust for Public Land says the conservation easement on the South Branch Forest was secured in partnership with the State, U.S. Navy, U.S. Forest Service, and a number of foundations and individuals, including the landowner. “In the past 20 years, Trust for Public Land has protected 213,000 acres of forestland in Maine, one-third of which is in Western Maine and the High Peaks region," TPL Maine state director Betsy Cook said. The land will be managed for public outdoor recreation like hiking, hunting, birding and fishing. Timber harvest will continue on about half of the area, and the other half will be dedicated to preserving older forests and sensitive habitats.