By Michelle Dunphy, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed It’s hardly a startling headline that rural Maine is in crisis. In fact, the face of rural Maine has been a sporting a series of fresh bruises as a regular occurrence since the 1890s. The utter collapse of the farm economy, the demise of Read More
North Woods Protection & LUPC
The 10.4-million-acre Maine North Woods, which makes up nearly half of the entire state, is the largest remaining undeveloped forest in the eastern United States. The region is at risk of being lost forever, as rapid changes in ownership have brought unprecedented pressures – from development to heavy logging.
Irving’s Plan for Aroostook Lakes Region Includes Commercial, Residential Development
by Staff Mainebiz news story J.D. Irving’s proposed concept plan for 51,000 acres in Aroostook County asks the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to allow new commercial and residential development around the Fish River Lakes chain, in addition to conservation plans and continued logging operations. The Bangor Daily News reported the plan for Irving’s acreage Read More
Irving Unveils Its Plans for 51,000 Acres in Fish River Lakes Chain
By Julia Bayly, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The public gets its first opportunity to comment on a plan to rezone 51,000 acres within the Fish River Chain of Lakes at two public hearings later this month in northern Maine. J.D. Irving’s proposed concept plan asks the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to Read More
State Mulling New Camping Options at Eagle Lake, Deboullie
by Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story ASHLAND, Maine — The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands is hosting a public meeting in Ashland Wednesday to gather input on a proposal to add and expand campsites at public reserve lands around Eagle Lake and Deboullie Mountain. The Bureau of Parks and Lands, Read More
Conservation Groups Oppose Development Changes Proposed for Maine Woods
By Bill Trotter, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Conservation groups in Maine on Wednesday urged state officials not to expand the distance limit that determines where subdivisions and commercial projects can be built in the state’s Unorganized Territory. The Land Use Planning Commission is considering a change in policy that would allow zoning Read More
Panel Could Allow Greater Development in 2.5M Acres of Maine Woods
By Bill Trotter, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Land Use Planning Commission is considering a proposal that could allow subdivision or commercial development in nearly 2.5 million acres in the Unorganized Territory in Maine. Part of that area already allows such development within one mile of existing, similarly developed areas. Development of Read More
State Plans to Sell or Swap Maine Public Lands Near Allagash
Updated: Next Meeting at 1 PM on Thursday, Februrary 20 at the Cross Building, Room 214, in Augusta by Christine Parrish The Free Press news story As part of a long-term effort to consolidate state land holdings, the state proposes to buy, sell, or swap several parcels of Maine Public Land, including approximately 6,000 acres Read More
Opposition to Portions of LD 1789, An Act Authorizing Changes to the Ownership and Leases of Certain Public Lands
Good afternoon Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
Opposition to LD 628, An Act to Amend Municipal Subdivision Laws and LD 1081, An Act To Amend the Municipal Subdivision Laws Regarding the Exemption for Transfers to Owners of Abutting Land
Good afternoon Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna and the Forests and Wildlife Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am here today on behalf of the 20,000 members and supporters of the Natural Read More
