Plum Creek plan to draw scrutiny

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Three years ago – when Plum Creek Timber Co. announced plans to sell 89 camp lots on First Roach Pond – conservationists expressed the fear that any such sale would serve as a prelude to future development by the company.

On Tuesday, those initial concerns may have been proven true, as Plum Creek unveiled a landmark plan that could change the way large property owners operate in the state.

This project is different from most in that Plum Creek has spelled out a 30-year plan for 380,000 acres near Greenville. The company hopes to get the Land Use Regulation Commission to sign off on the plan so that Plum Creek won’t have to seek LURC approval step by step over the coming years.

Interestingly enough, while the plan to sell 89 lots on First Roach was widely criticized, this more ambitious project hasn’t been … yet.

One reason for that: While some details have been released, enough mystery remains for optimists to plan for the best, and for pessimists to expect the worst. Both groups, of course, are equally in the dark.

Rest assured, as details become known and as the public hearing process draws near, opponents will step forward to make their case.

Plum Creek already has the support of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Maine Snowmobile Association – each of which would gain recreational access.

Plum Creek has included 74-miles of snowmobile trails and 45 miles of trails for hiking and skiing in the plan.

Development for housing, however – also a part of the plan – is likely to be scrutinized carefully by the state’s conservation groups.

Gov. John Baldacci and Department of Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan have reserved judgment on the plan until more details are known.

In the months ahead, we’re sure to find out much more about the plan.

With plenty of folks holding divergent opinions on the future of Maine’s working forests, it promises to be an interesting several months.

Guide trial troublesome

A trial in Oxford County Superior Court is garnering a lot of interest from sportsmen this week, as a Registered Maine Guide named Lawrence Perry is being charged with 31 counts of violating state game laws.

Maine guides, I have found, are generally among the most honest, hardworking folks you’ll find in the Maine woods. Most guides I’ve met see themselves as front-line stewards of our natural resources, and take that responsibility seriously.

Of course, there are others out there. If state prosecutors are right, and if he’s found guilty, Lawrence Perry is one of those “others” who choose to hide their lawlessness behind the shield of legitimacy that comes with a guide’s license.

That’s unfortunate. But it shouldn’t serve to tarnish the guide profession all that much.

Even guides will tell you that there are good and bad among them. Successful and honest guides advise prospective clients to interview potential guides carefully, and to make wise decisions when enlisting their services.

One thing that’s important to realize as this trial continues: Perry isn’t the only person accused of breaking the state’s fish and game laws in this case.

Nearly a year ago, Warden Service personnel served warrants to 15 people in Maine and New Hampshire as part of what was called a “poaching ring.”

Perry was one of those charged, after a two-year investigation that involved 86 law enforcement officers in Maine and New Hampshire.

If he is found guilty, Perry should be recognized as what he would be – a poacher – as well as what he would not be.

What he wouldn’t be, at that point, would be a Maine guide deserving the respect that comes with the title.

Hockey star a fit for Maine

As co-worker Larry Mahoney tracked down information about the latest UMaine hockey recruit earlier this week, he stumbled across another Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League star who would be a natural fit for the Black Bears.

The winger, who plays for the Melville Millionaires, is named Bear Trapp.

Honest. Bear Trapp.

Since Maine voters defeated a referendum that would have banned the practice of trapping bears in November, it seems that Bear Trapp has received a mandate from the state’s citizens that can’t be ignored.

And since Maine is one of few states that allow bear trapping, the hockey star would obviously be more welcome here than he would be anywhere else.

Of course, UMaine hockey coaches can’t comment on whether or not they’re recruiting Bear Trapp. If they’re not, they should, if only to avoid having Trapp play for a hated rival.

Nothing could be worse than taking the ice against New Hampshire, and finding out the Wildcats had a Bear Trapp waiting.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.