The lakes and streams of Washington and Hancock counties provide a wilderness-like opportunity for fishing and canoeing unequalled elsewhere in Maine. Last June I poled my canoe down the Machias River from the Third Machias Lake to Holmes Falls. Fishing was outstanding and there were limited man-made intrusions upon views. Next year I plan to paddle and pole the loop from Fifth Machias Lake, through Fourth and Third, to First Machias Lake. Both ends of this trip on these remote lakes are accessed via the Stud Mill Road.

However, it is my understanding that the Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. is proposing an 84-mile transmission line between Baileyville and Orrington which would parallel Stud Mill Road. This line would severely intrude upon the remoteness of 22 lakes or ponds, including Fifth Machias Lake and Lower Sabo Lake. In addition, the proposed route would cross the Narraguagus, Machias and St. Croix rivers. All of these lakes and rivers are outstanding fishing and canoeing locations.

There is an alternative route that Bangor Hydro could utilize. There is an existing MEPCO line which runs north of these Down East lakes and does not cross the Machias, Narraguagus or St. Croix rivers.

The Board of Environmental Protection will be holding a hearing on this matter at 6:30 p.m. today at the Special Event Center, 395 Griffin Rd. in Bangor. Please urge the BEP to oppose the new transmission line along the Stud Mill Road.

Arthur Pierce

Belfast