Downeast Lakes project seeks to prevent land grab

Having read Baileyville Selectman John Morrison’s remarks (“Put a stop to the Maine land grab,” BDN op-ed, Aug. 9), I have to wonder how he arrives at seeing the Downeast Lakes project as a threat, when it would accomplish much of what he says he wants for the region. Most of his concerns about the economy and stewardship of eastern Maine’s working forests will be admirably addressed by the very project he decries.

Morrison is concerned about “losing” land to the New England Forestry Foundation, which he thinks will “control” the 312,000 acres to be held under conservation easement if the project is successful. In fact, nothing will be lost – the land will remain the working forest it already is, under current private ownership (not “donated to a nonprofit”), and property taxes will continue to be paid to towns and state.

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust asked NEFF to be their partner because of the foundation’s experience (since 1944) and professionalism in helping landowners protect forestland throughout northern New England. NEFF’s role will be to monitor the land (owned by Typhoon, managed by Wagner) to ensure the terms of the easement are upheld, which are to keep the land as sustainable working forest, and “to conserve forest and wildlife habitats, undeveloped shoreline, and historical public recreational opportunities.” Nothing will change, other than to assure public access and a perpetual supply of timber to the mills in Woodland, which will in turn preserve the best-paying jobs in Washington County.

Maine’s timber industry is beleaguered on many fronts, and the DLLT is just as concerned as Morrison about these jobs. In conceiving this project, the DLLT realized it would be a way to counter two of the most serious threats to the local economy: liquidation harvesting and resulting subdivision. Keeping these lands as working forest and unfragmented habitat will sustain not just the region’s sporting industry but the local mills.

Said Gov. Baldacci, “… timber and wildlife, clean water and unparalleled scenery. … For generations those resources have sustained the people who live here, and with the success of this project, that future will be secure. It is for this reason that not only the Passamaquoddy Tribe supports this effort, but so does the Domtar mill in Woodland, where 550 employees rely on a healthy supply of fiber to keep their machines running and jobs assured.” The DLLT is working to improve the forest and have a positive economic impact on the local economy.

This land has traditionally been available to the public for recreation. This situation changed in 1999 when Georgia-Pacific sold their land base. The people in Grand Lake Stream had the foresight to see the coming threats to public access, and work together with others in Washington County to assure that those privileges are protected in perpetuity. The public-private “partnership” Mainers have long enjoyed, where paper companies have allowed public recreational access to their working forestlands, is now being threatened by the rapid sale and subdivision of large tracts. This is precisely why the DLLT is doing this project.

What’s more, their well-thought-out, widely supported project is under way and moving toward its goal with a lot more certainty and purpose than anything that could be put through the Legislature in time to protect the status quo. Morrison suggests using legislation instead of conservation to control land use and access, but legislation is a blunt, slow and unreliable tool for the task at hand – to ensure that guides, foresters, millworkers and others can sustain their traditional way of making a living here, and continue to enjoy recreational access to these woods and waters. The need for action is now, and the DLLT project is in motion and the best available tool for the job.

Yes, the easement will prevent subdivision of new camp lots on the protected lands. Regardless of how much land is available for development, the reality is that demand for shorefront property far exceeds supply, and with each new camp or house built, a piece of undeveloped shore is lost to the general public. With private development comes loss of habitat, loss of wilderness character, and the risk of losing access altogether. This is especially valuable for residents of eastern Maine who don’t own waterfront property but enjoy having recreational access to places within a reasonable drive of home.

Morrison contends that the guides from Grand Lake Stream who comprise the DLLT are out to protect their own interests of providing a playground for rich sports from away, and that the DLLT did not involve the surrounding communities in planning this project. In fact, throughout the five years of planning this project, the trust has invited input from the local community. Representatives from DLLT and NEFF met with the selectmen of all eight organized towns within the project area, and held a public meeting with the Baileyville Town Council, to listen to people’s concerns and work to incorporate those.

The land trust’s board includes guides, business people and retired teachers; and their 35-member advisory board represents a diverse cross-section of the local citizenry, including local foresters and the Passamaquoddy tribe. Residents of eastern Maine have been involved in creating and supporting this project since its inception.

The Downeast Lakes project embraces a regional treasure including more than 60 lakes and ponds and 445 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline. This locally based group is simply trying to keep this special place the way it is -preserve what’s here for future generations, and prevent the kind of land grab that will likely happen if the trust does not reach its fund-raising goal in time (May 2005). Look elsewhere in Maine, and you will see what could happen: liquidation, lakes chock-a-block with camps and homes, kingdom buyers, “no trespassing.”

This may be the last opportunity to protect a large tract of land that will preserve a local wood-based economy and recreational industries that depend on a large, intact forest. The project has broad-based support locally and nationally. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and Rep. Mike Michaud serve as honorary project chairs. All three state legislators representing the project area – Rep. Anne Perry, Rep. George Bunker and Sen. Kevin Shorey – have endorsed this community-based initiative, along with numerous local and state recreational organizations.

For more information or to lend your support to help this important conservation project succeed, contact the Downeast Lakes Land Trust at P.O. Box 75, Grand Lake Stream 04637, telephone 706-2100, or access www.downeastlakes.org

Jane Crosen Washburn works as a mapmaker and freelance editor and writer in Penobscot. She serves the Downeast Lakes Land Trust in an advisory capacity.