NRCM is always pleased to see conservation easements in Maine’s North Woods. This easement prohibits further residential development and guarantees public access forever. NRCM remains concerned about the size and location of the Plum Creek development, particularly on Lily Bay. Plum Creek’s 2,000 units around beautiful Moosehead Lake, including three resorts, is the largest development Read More
Plum Creek's Massive Moosehead Proposal
In April 2005, Seattle-based Plum Creek submitted a development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region that was the largest development ever proposed in Maine. The company’s proposal called for 975 house lots, 2 resorts, a golf course, a marina, 3 RV parks—with convenience stores, beauty salons, and gas stations—and more than 100 rental cabins, right in the heart of Maine’s spectacular Moosehead Lake region.
NRCM was the first organization to oppose this plan, which, in addition to too much development in the wrong places, proposed no additional permanent conservation. NRCM spoke out, and so did the people of Maine, including residents of the Moosehead region. As a result of NRCM’s work, the Plum Creek plan was improved — less sprawling, with much improved required conservation measures, and with proposed development removed from remote ponds and other areas.
Maine Supreme Court’s Decision on Plum Creek’s Moosehead Lake Development Rezoning
by Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM CEO We are disappointed in today’s decision about Plum Creek’s development proposal on lands around Moosehead Lake. We respect the court’s decision. Through the active engagement of thousands of Maine people the final plan was significantly improved from the original plan, though it remains the largest development plan in the state’s Read More
Plum Creek Development Gets OK from Supreme Court
by Kevin Miller, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine—Maine’s highest court on Thursday ruled that state regulators followed proper procedures when approving Plum Creek’s historic development plan for the Moosehead Lake region. The state supreme court disagreed with a lower court that had ordered the Land Use Regulation Commission to hold additional Read More
Court Strikes Down Plum Creek Plan
Statement by NRCM Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann We are pleased and gratified by the Superior Court’s decision today to strike down the Land Use Regulation Commission’s approval of Plum Creek’s massive development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region. The plan calls for 2,000 resort and vacation home units scattered around Moosehead Lake. In his ruling, Read More
Plum Creek Harvest Too Close to Rare Species of Wintergreen
By Diana Bowley, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP, Maine — Plum Creek Timberland’s harvesting in 2009 of an area too close to a rare plant in the Frenchtown area of Piscataquis County is being investigated. The timber company advised the Forest Society of Maine on Monday that it had harvested within Read More
Plum Creek’s Apology for Timber Violations Leaves Critics Skeptical
by Susan Sharon MPBN radio news story For the second time in four years, the Plum Creek timber company has been assessed one of the largest penalties in Maine history for violations of the state’s Forest Practices Act. The company has apologized for three improper clearcuts in an area near Moosehead Lake that is now Read More
NRCM Gives Award for Effort to Protect Moosehead
Augusta, ME – The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has awarded Russell Pierce, Esq., of the Portland-based law firm of Norman, Hanson and DeTroy, a 2009 Environmental Award for his unwavering efforts for the protection of Moosehead Lake. The award is given each year by NRCM to an individual or group whose actions have Read More
NRCM Appeals Plum Creek Decision
News Release Today the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) filed with Maine Superior Court an appeal of the decision by Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) to approve Plum Creek’s development proposal for the Moosehead Lake region. After careful deliberation and extensive legal analysis, NRCM’s Board of Directors voted last week to authorize the Read More
NRCM Response to Plum Creek Decision
Brownie Carson, NRCM Executive Director “Today’s vote by the Land Use Regulation Commission approving Plum Creek’s massive development plan for Moosehead Lake is deeply unsettling.” “It is unsettling because it may result in a level of future development, traffic, and increased congestion in the Moosehead Lake region that will forever damage one of Maine’s most Read More