Wabanaki center proposed for site in Robbinston

Bear Creek Investments, a company created by Quoddy Bay LNG developer Donald Smith, has announced the development and released architectural designs of the Wabanaki Trails and Interpretive Center, which it plans to build on U.S. Route 1 in Robbinston just south of Mill Cove.

The development, not connected with Quoddy Bay LNG’s proposed liquefied natural gas facility in Perry, is in its early stages. The first phase will include a 6,000-square-foot interpretive center, walking trails and access to the beach, according to a press release issued this week. Beach access at low tide would allow access to Pulpit Rock, a culturally significant landmark to native tribes in the area. Bear Creek hopes to begin construction on the development in 2008.

“The trails are designed to encourage a better understanding of the Native American tribes indigenous to the Maine coast and southwestern New Brunswick, and will serve as a resource for Native Americans and their neighbors,” Sandi Yarmal, the project’s coordinator and a Passamaquoddy Tribe member, said in the statement. “This project will provide the Wabanaki people access to an important site in our history and provide the region with a great resource to learn about our culture.”

Indoor exhibits will include native artwork, including murals depicting the history of natural landmarks and origins of their names. Exhibits will teach the connection between the Wabanaki and their natural surroundings. Outside, winding trails will be lined with indigenous plants, herbs, flowers and additional open-air exhibits

Future plans also include construction of an event center, which would be available to the public for cultural, educational, social and business gatherings.

According to Yarmal, members of the Passamaquoddy tribal government have been consulted on the project, and she expects that they will continue to stay intimately involved as the plans continue to evolve.

“We’ve introduced the project to members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and have received tremendous feedback. We hope that eventually the trails will be as much the tribe’s project as it is Bear Creek’s,” said Yarmal.

Bear Creek signed agreements to purchase the land in April 2005. Bear Creek and Quoddy Bay LNG share owners, but each company is managed separately and has its own interests, the release stated.

Quoddy Bay LNG has submitted federal and state permit applications to construct and operate a 2 billion-cubic-feet-per-day liquefied natural gas import and regasification facility, including a pier and two vessel berths, at the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s Pleasant Point Reservation in Washington County. The company also plans to build an office and warehouse on the reservation’s Split Rock, a storage facility in Perry, and a 35.8-mile-long natural gas export pipeline to transport natural gas from the terminal to the existing pipeline of Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline LLC. Quoddy Bay LNG was formed by developers from Oklahoma City.

Further information about the project may be found at www.wabanakitrails.com.