Annie – Page 15

Gulf Hagas – Pleasant River Project

March 2, 2016 By Annie

March 2017: For more current information about this project see FSM’s conserved lands page: Silver Lake – Pleasant River or the 2-part Gulf Hagas – Pleasant River project page.

This project will provide permanent protection for approximately 18,000 acres.

The project is focused around the West Branch of the Pleasant River and Whitecap Mountain. When completed the project will provide permanent protection for 17 miles of the West Branch of the Pleasant River, a significant wetland complex, miles of undeveloped stream and lake shore, high elevation lands including four mountain peaks bordering 11 miles of the Appalachian Trail corridor, and thousands of acres of productive forestland. The lands provide important habitat for multiple species of birds and wildlife and significant fisheries habitat for Eastern brook trout and Atlantic salmon restoration. The project lands also provide camping, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, and other similar recreational uses for more than 10,000 people every year. The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) is working with two landowners, the state of Maine, other conservation groups, and local communities to conserve these lands.

The lands in the Gulf Hagas – Pleasant River project are important to conserve because of the unique concentration of North Woods and Appalachian Trail related recreational infrastructure and opportunities. Their permanent conservation is integral to ensuring the future of this nationally and regionally significant recreational area, which includes: the Appalachian Trail, Gulf Hagas, the Hermitage, the 100-Mile Wilderness, the Katahdin Iron Works/Jo Mary Forest, and Moosehead Lake. The project lands contain the trailhead and parking area for Gulf Hagas—a highly popular recreational destination—and they provide scenic views for people from all over the U.S. and the world who hike this portion of the Appalachian Trail each year.

Conservation Easements are Forever

December 5, 2015 By Annie

Special to Moosehead Matters, November 2015

The recent announcement that Weyerhaeuser is planning to acquire Plum Creek and their lands has prompted a number of inquiries to the Forest FromLilyBay_towardProngPond_BurntJacket_web Society of Maine (FSM). People are asking: will the approximately 360,000 acres of Plum Creek land covered by the Moosehead Region Conservation Easement and held by the Forest Society of Maine remain intact? The answer is a resounding “yes!”

One of the powerful aspects of conservation easements is that they are permanent and “run with the land,” meaning that they are in full force and effect no matter who owns the land. A conservation easement is a legal agreement that permanently restricts certain land uses and activities for the benefit of future generations. Easements can be used to preserve important public benefits such as wildlife habitat, public access, recreational features, and productive, undeveloped forests.

As we have observed in Maine over the past few decades, large tracts of forestland can change ownership. One of the benefits of conservation easements is that they help bring continuity and predictability when these changes occur. As the sale of Plum Creek moves forward, FSM will work with the new landowner’s representatives to ensure that both the goals and the specific terms of the easement are met including provisions that the lands are managed sustainably, fish and wildlife habitat is protected, and public recreational access continues. FSM is experienced in working with new landowners and managers through these transitions.

FSM’s staff will continue to work in partnership with the communities in the Moosehead Lake region to support the Branding Initiative, hiking trail planning effort, and other related activities. FSM’s legal responsibility to monitor and enforce the terms of the Moosehead Region Conservation Easement and all the other easements we hold will continue into the future, no matter who owns the land.

For more information please contact FSM staff Karin@fsmaine.org or Erica@fsmaine.org.