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In-Depth Description

In April 2005, Seattle-based Plum Creek Real Estate Investment Trust Corporation submitted to the Land Use Regulation Commission a 570-page proposal for the largest development ever proposed in Maine. The company’s proposal called for 975 house lots, two resorts, a golf course, a marina, three RV parks—with convenience stores, beauty salons, and gas stations—and more than 100 rental cabins, right in the heart of Maine’s spectacular Moosehead Lake region.

NRCM was the first organization to oppose this plan, which, in addition to too much development and in the wrong places, proposed no additional permanent conservation. NRCM spoke out, and so did the people of Maine, including residents of the Moosehead region. In response, Plum Creek went back to the drawing board.

The message was clear: the time had come for an alternative vision for the Moosehead region, one that provides permanent, large-scale conservation, concentrates development in and near existing communities, ensures development that strengthens the economy for local people, and protects the region’s beauty, character and heritage.

NRCM contracted with a land use planning firm well versed in community planning to protect scenic, ecological, and recreational resources while allowing for development that would benefit area communities. We met often with concerned citizens of the region and beyond. The result is A Vision for the Moosehead Lake Region, a 32-page full-color publication that describes a vision that could become a model for Maine—and the nation.

A Vision for the Moosehead Lake Region is an important step toward protecting the character of Maine’s spectacular North Woods. We invite you to download a copy from our website today.

In April 2006, Plum Creek announced a new plan, and, as part of a slick public relations campaign, claimed, "You spoke. We listened." It didn't. In fact, 93 percent of the development was still the same. NRCM continued to work hard to make the facts known. That included uncovering Plum Creek's history of forest practice violations, including the largest fine in Maine forest practice history.

In response to pressure from NRCM, local residents, and people from across the state and beyond, on April 27, Plum Creek submitted another revised plan. We are carefully reviewing the details of the company’s newest proposal so we can fully respond to it. We learned from earlier versions of Plum Creek’s plan that the details are crucial to understanding the full impact of their proposed development.

Although Plum Creek has said it will not develop some areas the company had previously targeted, we remain deeply troubled that the company’s latest plan still threatens major developments in places Maine people treasure including Lily Bay and the north shore of Long Pond.

Development in these places threatens the beauty, serenity, and wildlife of the region. NRCM will continue our work to ensure the beauty and character of the spectacular Moosehead Lake region are not destroyed by Plum Creek’s proposed development.

We hope you will join us in following this issue closely, by visiting our website often, becoming a member, subscribing to our RSS feeds, and joining our Action Network today!