Protections of the Project
Under
the 282,000-acre easement, the current landowner has
retained ownership of the property and isable to continue
forest management and timber harvesting. FSM will
monitor the easement lands to ensure sustainable forestry
practices, traditional public access, protection of
environmentally sensitive areas, and restriction of
development.
Traditional
Access
The
project provides public access
a cross
the entire property under easement for traditional
recreation uses including hunting, fishing, hiking,
swimming, picnicking and nature observation. In addition,
public vehicle access is provided on all of the major
roads. All existing maintained snowmobile trails are
located on the parcels being purchased. Additional
snowmobile trails can be created on the easement lands
with the approval of the landowner.
Sustainable Forestry
Under the easement, forestry on the
protected land will be practiced in a sustainable
manner. All
forest management activities will be conducted in
accordance with a management plan prepared by a licensed
Maine forester and overseen by FSM to ensure its adequacy
and consistency with the easement purpose and terms.
The landowner will meet with FSM annually to provide
harvesting information for the past year and plans
for the coming year.
Ecological Protections
Many
sensitive ecological areas are
protected
through land purchase,
including
Baker Lake and the headwater ponds of the St. John
River, along with the lands surrounding Seboomook
Lake. These lands contain rare plant, fish and animal
species, including several important deer wintering
and bald eagle nesting areas. Many other sensitive
areas in the easement lands are identified and protected
through the terms of the easement.
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