Overseeing the Moosehead Region Conservation (2010)
Munching Moose - photo by Chris Ayer
FSM is five months into its role of overseeing the 363,000-acre, Moosehead Forest conservation easement, which was established by Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commissioners last October with their approval of a concept plan for Plum Creek Timber’s lands in the Moosehead Lake region. A comprehensive baseline inventory was required to describe conditions of those lands, including a full detailing of the conservation values and all special sites and habitats on the property. Endangered species, rare and exemplary natural communities, hiking and snowmobile trails, campsites, deer-wintering areas, loon nesting sites, vernal pools, archaeological sites, and old growth stands are examples. FSM collected the information from state and federal agencies and many others, including a wealth of information from Plum Creek and prior owners of these lands.
The collected information has been reviewed and compiled, and under our review has been incorporated into an information tracking and mapping system that will serve as a core component to our easement oversight as well as to Plum Creek’s forest management decisions. Since October, FSM has been meeting regularly with Plum Creek and conducting field inspections.
We can report great satisfaction with the openness and cooperation we are receiving from Plum Creek, and with the results we are seeing in their systems, planning, and performance on the ground. They have reorganized their land holdings and management structure to place a singular focus on the easement lands and compliance with easement terms.
FSM’s stewardship staff has been preparing for this easement since well before last October. We recognize the significance of the responsibility that comes with holding this easement, and we are prepared.
The Commissioners’ decision last fall resulted in 97% of the lands designated for permanent conservation and just 3% for development--an unprecedented outcome in favor of conservation. There are three parts to the conservation outcomes: 1) 29,500 acres with extremely high conservation value around the Roach Ponds were acquired by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC); 2) 15,000 acres with extremely high conservation values adjacent to the Moose River were acquired by The Nature Conservancy (TNC); and 3) the 363,000-acre conservation easement is currently in effect and we hope it will become permanent soon.
Two opponents of the Concept Plan have appealed the Land Use Regulation Commission’s (LURC) decision. FSM’s position, along with TNC, the state Attorney General’s office, and others, is that LURC’s decision should be upheld. The decision was based on an extremely thorough analysis of all issues and concerns and results in a solid decision, balancing conservation and development. The easement would go into permanent effect upon the court upholding LURC’s decision, and TNC, AMC, and FSM completing the Moosehead Forest Campaign.
back to the Moosehead Forest project
