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Future of North Maine Woods Public Forum

November 07, 2011 - Lewiston — The future of Maine’s North Woods will be explored in a public forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, in Heritage Hall at the Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St.

The event is co-sponsored by the Androscoggin Land Trust, Stanton Bird Club and Harward Center for Community Partnerships at Bates College.

The presenters at this free, public program include: Bob Myers, executive director, Maine Snowmobile Association; Lisa Pohlmann, executive director, Natural Resources Council of Maine; Patrick Strauch, executive director, Maine Forest Products Council; and Brian Wentzell, Maine policy director, Appalachian Mountain Club.

The agenda includes exploration of three major public policy issues involving Maine’s North Woods: the current status of public land ownership in Maine, the proposed feasibility study for a North Woods National Park, and the future of the Land Use Regulation Commission.

The program will open with panelists providing a brief overview on each issue from the perspective of their organizations. Following the opening remarks, audience members will be invited to ask questions.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Lewiston Public Library Director Rick Speer, who also serves as the program chairman for the Stanton Bird Club.

“Between Gov. Paul LePage and Roxanne Quimby, Maine’s North Woods has been front page news this fall and members of both the Androscoggin Land Trust and the Stanton Bird Club felt the time was right to give area residents an opportunity to better understand some of the complexities surrounding the issues that both these individuals are trying to move forward,” Speer said.

Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission oversees planning and development activities for more than 10 million acres in the state’s unorganized townships, which comprise the bulk of the area referred to as the North Woods.

Last month, a blue-ribbon task force began exploring alternatives for either reforming LURC or completely changing the current system of oversight. The panel is expected to present its recommendations to the Maine Legislature in time for the 2012 session.

Roxanne Quimby, philanthropist and former owner of Burt’s Bees, has been at work this year trying to advance her proposal to donate 70,000 acres on the east side of Baxter State Park to the National Park Service for use as Maine’s second national park.

The National Park Service is looking at the possibility of conducting a feasibility study regarding this proposal.

“The challenges and opportunities with Maine’s natural resources are significant, but solutions require listening to all sides and determining the best direction for not only the state as a whole but the communities dependent on them, such as those bordering the North Woods. This panel represents those diverse interests and should make for an insightful and engaging conversation with our community,” said Jonathan LaBonte, director of the Androscoggin Land Trust.

Sun Journal, November 2011


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Regions: Katahdin


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