The BDN article about the purchase of Spencer Lake by John Malone (“The man who bought a lake: conservationists, sportsmen fearful that purchase of property may further erode public access,” by Susan Young, Nov. 27) provides valuable insights into the changing face of the Maine Woods. Timberland sales are occurring at a dizzying pace, resulting in a tremendous sense of fear and uncertainty among Maine people as to what the future might hold for cherished places like Spencer Lake. The Forest Society of Maine (FSM), a statewide land trust committed to the conservation of Maine’s forestlands, shares this concern and is working with private landowners to protect both the resources and the traditions of the Maine Woods.

The article quoted a number of sportsmen and conservationists who assume that Spencer Lake has been lost to the public. We caution against rushing to such conclusions, believing the better approach is to work with the growing number of new landowners arising from the ongoing land sales in Maine’s North Woods. To date, the only change that has occurred at Spencer Lake is that the name on the deed has changed.

Based upon FSM’s conversations with Mr. Malone’s land managers, there are no plans to develop the property or to exclude the public. The public continues to have access to the property, and, in fact, we have been assured that the landowner is currently developing plans to allow continued use of the area for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and camping. The article itself cites the fact that Mr. Malone has already contributed to land conservation causes in Maine. Given his demonstrated commitment to conservation elsewhere, we believe the best approach is to give Mr. Malone the opportunity to develop his thinking regarding his newly acquired lands around Spencer Lake, and to look for ways to help him achieve goals consistent with the traditions of those lands and the Maine’s North Woods.

Mr. Malone is not alone. An increasing number of large tracts of forestland, many with lake and river frontage, are being purchased by wealthy individuals. Some view timber as a worthwhile long-term investment, others seek to create family retreats, and still others simply desire to preserve the woods. Change in land ownership need not result in the loss of valued lands or access for public use. In fact, new owners may be more receptive to conservation actions than the previous owners. For example, in 1996, Robbins Lumber Co. purchased more than 20,000 acres surrounding Nicatous Lake. Today, through the efforts of FSM, the state of Maine, and others, that land is now permanently protected by a conservation easement. In 1999, Bowater sold 656,000 acres in the West Branch region north of Moosehead Lake to two new timber investors.

These owners are now negotiating with FSM and the state of Maine to provide guaranteed recreational access and permanent protection of conservation values in a way that also allows for continued productive forest management. Upon completion this will become Maine’s largest public-private conservation project ever!

Spencer Lake should serve as a wake-up call to alert us that historic changes are underway in Maine’s North Woods and that we need to be thinking creatively and working cooperatively with landowners, seeking opportunities for lasting land conservation opportunities.

We need to remember that Maine has a long tradition of private forestland stewardship and public recreational access, which the Forest Society of Maine believes can be sustained even when lands are acquired by new owners.

Alan Hutchinson is executive director of the Forest Society of Maine, based in Bangor.