Goal of ‘Buying Maine’

An informational meeting was recently held in Shin Pond to discuss the upcoming sale of 71,000 acres of land in northern Maine by Irving. The discussion centered on the potential buyer(s), the possible uses of the land, and traditional access to the area.

While reviewing the outcome of the meeting, the editorial “Buying Maine” from the Sept. 2 edition of the Bangor Daily News discussed which type of land purchaser is most beneficial to the recreational enthusiast; the potential conservation buyer or a logging contractor. Regardless of where you find yourself on the political and conservation spectrum, the underlying foundation supporting all issues of the land sale is in the property rights of the private landowner, whoever it may be.

At the Shin Pond meeting, three names were mentioned as probable buyers of the land: Roxanne Quimby (a well-known land conservationist), H.C. Haynes, and W. T. Gardner (both logging contractors). These names came from “informed sources” that are taken as “truth” and “facts.”

The only people who know the details of the land deal are the buyer and the seller.

However, assuming these “informed sources” are correct, if Quimby wishes to preserve the land for conservation purposes, that is her right as a landowner. Landowners have the right to use, maintain and/or preserve their land in the manner they feel appropriate, in accordance with all laws and regulations.

The editors of the BDN state a “bigger” threat to recreation and forest health “than Ms. Quimby” is the record of Haynes and Gardner of “purchasing parcels [of land] and subdividing them into smaller lots for development.”

I know Haynes and Gardner to be responsible businesspeople. They started their businesses with nothing but ingenuity and common sense, dedicated to building their businesses in Maine, employing people in Maine, and contributing to the Maine economy.

If a landowner wishes to sell their land, that is their right as property owners. If the buyers of the land wish to develop the land, that is their right as new property owners. Nothing is illegal about buying and selling land, or developing land in compliance with local and state land-use regulations.

The BDN states that because of the “reported” purchase of land by Haynes and Gardner, “more camps [will] spring up…” despite the assurances from the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission on the difficulty of development in the Katahdin Lake region. In other words, there is nothing illegal or improper about building a camp in the Katahdin Lake region; there are just strict requirements that must be met.

It is often forgotten that development and use of the land is the right of the property owner. As long as it is in conformance with the local and state requirements, development and use of your land is not illegal.

Some at the Shin Pond meeting criticized the state for not buying the land from Irving. The state of Maine does not belong in the real-estate business. The state does not pay property taxes. As no taxes are collected from that property, funding for the local municipality decreases and local property taxes go up to compensate for the loss.

Additionally, federal and state governments strictly limit not only the type of outdoor activity that is allowed on their lands and in their “parks,” but where the activities are permitted. If the North Woods becomes a state or federal park, traditional access for hunters, hikers, snowmobiles and others will be severely reduced if not totally restricted.

Traditional access to the land is of critical concern to the residents of Shin Pond, as well as to the many visitors to northern Maine. While the vast majority of private landowners gladly open their land to recreational uses, other landowners request the outdoor enthusiast simply get their OK before entering the land. This respect for the landowner is part of a proven successful balance between traditional access and the rights of the landowner.

The BDN stated we all share a “common goal” but this “goal” appears to be in land conservation and the prevention of development. Our “working together” will mean property owners having to sacrifice not only the right to own their land, but also the right to use or develop the land legally for the sake of the “common goal.” The common goal should include mutual respect for the rights of the landowner and respect by the landowner for traditional access to the land. Much more will be achieved by working together with a true understanding of the issues and goals of those involved.

Charlene Krug, of Durham, is the executive director of Maine Landowners, an organization representing and supporting the rights of private property owners in Maine.