by Keith Shortill MPBN radio news story A Maine judge has rejected the state’s zoning approval of Plum Creek Timber Co.’s sprawling resort and residential development at the gateway to Maine’s north woods near Moosehead Lake. The superior Court judge agreed with several environmental groups, which claimed that the process used by the Land Use 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.
Court Hears Challenge to Plum Creek Development Project OK
by Josie Huang MPBN radio news story It’s been more than a year, since the state approved one of the largest development projects in Maine’s history—a plan by Plum Creek Timber Company to build two resorts and more than 820 homes in the Moosehead Lake Region. But its approval by the state’s Land Use Regulation 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 Gets Mixed Responses
By Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Plum Creek’s recent apology for an illegal clear-cut is generating mixed responses from organizations involved in the contentious debate over the company’s Moosehead Lake development plan. Earlier this week, Maine Forest Service officials announced they had fined Plum Creek $38,675 for a 2008 logging 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
Plum Creek Paid Legal Fees of Supporters
The money helped its allies be part of the Moosehead plan review, the company says, but critics say it unfairly influenced the process. by John Richardson, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Plum Creek Timber Co. paid tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees for groups that supported its development plan in the Read More
Plum Creek’s Payments to Supporters Raising Questions
by Susan Sharon Maine Public Radio news story Opponents of the controversial Plum Creek development project are raising questions about the fact that the company has paid groups that testified in support of the project before state regulators. In addition, a company spokesman also acknowledged today that Plum Creek has now paid $1.7 million to 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
