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Groups Say Plum Creek Plan is Still Too Big

May 28, 2008 - AUGUSTA -- Maine environmental groups are continuing their criticism of Plum Creek Timber Co.’s development pans for the Moosehead Lake region, saying changes recommended by a state agency would still leave the project too massive and harmful to the region.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Audubon, RESTORE: The North Woods and the Forest Ecology Network all announced their continued opposition to the plan this week in response to a set of recommended improvements by the staff of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission.

The commission’s planners and consultants on Tuesday released a 127-page set of recommended changes, including scaling back some development zones and strengthening protections of conservation lands.

Conservationists say the plan would still be too large and allow as many as 975 homes and 1,050 resort accommodations, which could be anything from a hotel room to a single-family house.

The groups also said the recommendations failed to address the key legal questions about whether Plum Creek has made the case that zoning changes are needed and would not unnecessarily harm the region, among other things.

Plum Creek officials, meanwhile, continue to review the recommendation and have not said how they will respond.

The company’s plan and the state agency’s recommendations will be taken up by the full land use commission during a meeting Tuesday and Wednesday in Augusta.

To see the staff recommendations and the meeting schedule, go to www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/.

By Portland Press Herald Staff Report May 22, 2008 01:38 PM


Lakes: Moosehead Lake
Regions: Moosehead


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