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Trust Purchases Land on Cupsuptic Lake

October 03, 2007 - RANGELEY - Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust recently purchased 125 acres on Cupsuptic Lake including Big Birch island and over two miles of lake frontage on the east and west shores of the lake. The land was purchased from Bayroot LLC for $1,275,000 and included the 13 acres leased by Cupsuptic Campground.

In a separate agreement RLHT purchased the Cupsuptic Campground business and buildings for $600,000 and agreed to extend the current operator's lease to run the campground under very favorable terms for up to four years. The campground property has a beautiful sandy beach and offers the only readily accessible legal public swimming access anywhere on the 16,000 acre Cupsuptic and Mooselookmeguntic Lakes.

Although there are thousands of acres of conserved land and miles of associated shorefront on these lakes that offer public access, the waterfront is only accessible by boat or a several mile hike through the woods. There are also three public boat ramps on the lakes, but it is illegal to swim at these sites. RLHT's acquisition of these lands means that residents and visitors in the Rangeley region will have access to a unique property for swimming, picnicking, and camping. Without this public/private partnership initiative these lands might eventually have been offered on the open real estate market where with current property values the likely economic use would have been development, with public access eliminated.

So far, RLHT has received $785,000 in grant funding toward this project including a $500,000 grant from the Land for Maine's Future Public Access to Mame's Waters Fund. This fund is designed to support projects, which assure public access to Maine's coastal and inland water resources.

As part of the LMF grant, RLHT has entered into a Project Agreement with the State that assures that the property will be managed to protect its natural resources and guarantees public access. When the current operator's lease ends, RLHT will take over management of the campground and it will continue to be available for tent and RV camping, swimming, and picnicking.

The property will be managed much like Rangeley Lake State Park except that under a special agreement negotiated with the Department of Conservation some sites will be available for long-term rental of up to 90days. Moving shorefront campsites back from the water will also expand the public beach area. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to raise the additional funds necessary to pay off debt incurred in completing this project.

SOURCE: RANGELEY HIGHLANDER

DATE: 09-21-2007

Lakes:
Regions: Rangeley


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