A few dozen interested citizens gathered at four locations for a video conference hearing held by the Allagash Wilderness Waterway working group.

The topic: A draft report of the working group that made several recommendations, not the least of which was the formation of a five-member “board of overseers” that would “enhance the credibility, visibility and continuity of AWW leadership.”

From Fort Kent, Orono, Augusta and Portland, folks stepped forward to share their thoughts on the Allagash, the working group’s report, and the proposed board of overseers.

Here are a few pertinent sound bites, culled from the informative three-hour proceeding:

. From Steve Schley, the president of Pingree Associates, a major landowner in the Allagash region:

“Why are we here? Yes, there is ongoing controversy regarding the Allagash and it bubbled up finally to the point this spring where it went to the appropriate place to settle issues, which is the Maine state legislature,” Schley said.

That bill, LD 2077, was overwhelmingly passed, Schley pointed out, but Gov. John Baldacci refused to sign it, and appointed the current working group to explore Allagash issues.

“If further controversies come up, going back to the legislature is the appropriate body [to address them with],” Schley said. “The governance body that you have established [in the draft report] is not at all representative of those who have an ongoing interest in the Allagash.”

. From Cathy Johnson, the north woods project director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, who supports an independent AWW board:

“I think the experience we’ve had in the last few years has been multiple advisory committees [dealing with Allagash issues] with people – including myself – representing various interest groups,” Johnson said. “And I think we can really say that that hasn’t worked. I was hopeful that it would work, we’ve had various agreements along the way, but they haven’t held. I think what we’ve found is that when you have people representing the interest groups, it really doesn’t work.”

. From Peter Bourque, speaking on behalf of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (which would not have a seat on a board of overseers according to the draft report):

“We see the waterway and its surrounding land as important to our department’s mission and management program. Historically this area is steeped in fishing and hunting and trapping traditions and of great importance to our constituencies,” Bourque said.

“If a board of overseers is established, the commissioner of inland fisheries and wildlife should be included as a member, as they are [included] as part of the Baxter State Park Authority and the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission,” Bourque said. “Since the fish and wildlife resources comprise such an important part of the Allagash wilderness experience, it seems very appropriate to have this department’s commissioner on board.”

Bourque also said the DIF&W would like a seat on any new advisory council that is formed, as well as on any technical committee dealing with fish and wildlife issues.

. From Sarah Medina, land-use director for Seven Islands Land Co.:

“I don’t think governance is the problem. I really think it’s people that’s the problem and it’s a matter of trying to work together better, understand each others’ issues, have a little bit of tolerance and respect for each others’ needs and issues,” Medina said. “I don’t think that a group of overseers and a working group and technical committees is really going to make anything better. It’s just going to involve more people. It’s going to be very cumbersome.”

. And from Gary Pelletier, a retired game warden who grew up in the town of Allagash:

“Let’s see if we can’t get along for a couple of years. It looks like any time the wheels start going good and straight somebody hits it to wobble her,” Pelletier said. “Let’s see if we can’t back up, take a deep breath, open our eyes and get along. Our doors are open.”

State seeking deer samples

If you had a successful deer hunt this fall, you may be able to help the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife with some ongoing research.

According to Keel Kemper, the assistant regional wildlife biologist for the central Maine region, the DIF&W is still looking for deer samples from a few towns as part of its study on chronic wasting disease.

In this week’s DIF&W wildlife report, Kemper asked for help from hunters. If you shot a deer in Bangor, Waterville, Friendship, Liberty, Jefferson or Unity Township, Kemper wants a sample of your deer.

A quick warning: Don’t go overboard and start shipping random deer parts to the DIF&W headquarters in Sidney.

Just call the office at 547-5319 and a biologist will arrange to come to you and collect a sample, if those samples are still needed.

Chronic wasting disease has not been found in Maine’s deer herd, but its presence has been documented as far east as New York.

Maine biologists are remaining vigilant in their efforts to make sure that the disease doesn’t end up in the state, and to let people know if, in fact, it ever does.

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