Land purchases, easements Down East

Washington County has an opportunity to get some straight answers on public lands and salmon policy from state officials on Monday, Sept. 23 in Calais. Presenters will include members of the Land for Maine’s Future Board, which pumped 25 percent of its funds into Washington County over the past two years, and the Atlantic Salmon Commission, which has coordinated state, federal and private dollars to purchase or place under easements vast areas in the watersheds of the St. Croix and the five Washington County rivers listed for endangered Atlantic salmon.

Last spring, at the request of citizens from Washington County, I presented a Joint Order to the legislature to establish a study commission to investigate the direct purchase and/or the purchase of easements on land in Washington County. Instead of a study commission the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee directed the involved groups, Land for Maine’s Future, the Atlantic Salmon Commission and other interested groups involved, to meet in Washington County and address the concerns of citizens. Some of the concerns are the loss of tax base affecting towns, the County and the State; the possible negative effect on our economy and the potential for job losses; and the effect on outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and ATV’s. Citizens in the Rangeley area formed a regional group to set goals for their region. We in Washington County need to be involved and have more say in what direction our County should go. If we don’t do it, someone outside will decide for us. The public from throughout Washington County is highly encouraged to attend the meeting on Sept. 23. The State agencies will be here to explain their overall plan for Washington County, including the Downeast Lakes area between Routes 1 and 6 from Hancock County to the Canadian border (a map can be viewed at http://northernforestalliance.org/explore/wildlands/downeast/DOWmap.htm) and the St. Croix region.

The following were some of the questions submitted to the State agencies last April:

1. What is the scope of actual and potential purchases and easements in the “Downeast Lakes” area, including the watersheds of the Narraguagus, Pleasant, Machias, East Machias and Dennys Rivers? Please indicate actual and proposed acres and dollars. How many acres have been purchased, at what average price per acre? How many acres have been eased, at what average price per acre? How many acres are proposed for purchase, at what average price? How many acres are proposed for easement, at what average price? What percentage of the 1.1 million acres plus in the Downeast Lakes area will be under state, federal or land trust ownership or conservation easement by 2015? What is the goal?

2. What activities will be protected, prohibited or restricted under the proposed conservation easements? Please explain any general or specific protections, prohibitions or restrictions, including: ecotourism infrastructure such as dams, access, lodging and transportation necessary to support and facilitate ecotourism; energy and economic development infrastructure, such as windmills, pipelines, transmission lines and roads; grandfather rights for current leaseholders.

3. How many times has two-thirds of the legislature voted to alter a conservation easement?

4. Washington County lands in tree growth have the lowest assessed value in the State. This means the lands being purchased and/or eased have a very low value as woodland, and are also subject to a tree growth penalty if developed. In light of this, isn’t the State paying a huge amount for land that is not likely to be developed? Given the low remaining woodland value ($30 to $80 an acre), shouldn’t the State simply buy the whole thing rather than an overpriced easement?

5. Interior Secretary Norton granted the Atlantic Salmon Commission $2 million for what was described as purchases on the Dennys and

Machias. What was the $2 million used for exactly – purchases, easements or both? Are there any stirngs attached to this federal ESA money?

6. The Land for Maine’s Future Board has and is committing almost 25 percent of annual expenditures to projects in Washington County. Will such disproportionate expenditures continue over the coming years as each of the Downeast Lakes watersheds is targeted? How can such a pattern of expenditures be interpreted as addressing the sprawl problem?

In recent weeks Sens. Snowe and Collins have announced another $5 million in federal salmon funds to implement the State conservation plan. Some undetermined portion of these funds is likely for land easement purchase. As federal and State ownership and control of more and more of Washington County continues, it is important to get the true scope and ground rules of these projects clear otherwise the sort of problems and conflicts that have plagued the Allagash and other environment vs. economy debates will surely afflict us.

Come get your concerns addressed. The meeting is at the Calais High School cafeteria from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23.

John Morrison is a State Rep. from House District 135