G-P donates 1,054 acres to parks bureau

AUGUSTA — Georgia-Pacific Corp. donated a 1,054-acre land to the state Thursday along part of the Appalachian Trail that crosses through the paper company’s property.

The land, which is divided into several sections, was donated as a conservation easement to the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, said G-P spokesman Gordon Manuel. It is an addition to the 26 miles that Great Northern Paper Co., which was bought out by G-P earlier this year, donated in 1986, Manuel added.

About eight miles of the easement will protect shoreline from development along the Rainbow Lake, Pemadumcook Lake and the Penobscot River. The latest donation is not actually part of the Appalachian Trail, but property nearby that conservationists said also needed protection, Manuel said.

The donation also protects some older timber areas, sand beaches, scenic views and the Potaywadjo Ridge side trail.