AMC outdoors article on Roach Ponds (Maine) acquisaition/easement

[Papa Bear]

There was an article on the Roach Ponds area near the 100 Mile Wilderness in the AMC Outdoors magazine (December 2006) which just arrived. It says 28,000 acres were bought and 345,000 acres were protected. TNC and Plum Creek were involved in an October announcement.

Did I miss that? Anyone know the scoop on this (Spencer?). I recall from the Plum Creek plan of a year or so ago, that these Ponds were in an area looking for a conservation buyer. Is this it? I can't tell how much is purchased outright and how much is easement. Would like any information that you may have.

Here's the link the article lists: http://www.outdoors.org/mei The text of the announcement is at this link.

 

[Papa Bear]

Here's a Nature Conservancy Link on the same deal: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/maine/

 

[Stan]

It's a deal still in the agreement stage as the article points out. It suggests there are further contingencies, raising the $35 million to buy the conservation easements and fee simple land for example as well as the eventual approval of Plum Creek's development proposal by LURC. It certainly would be good for the conservation of the 100 mile wilderness area.

AMC bought Medawisla Camps last summer but that purchase only entailed the camps and appurtenant land. They now have a camp to camp xc ski package similar to the Chic Chocs.

 

[spencer]

I've been working in that area several days a week for the last few weeks so I figured I'd stop in at Medawisla and see what it's all about. The new caretaker couple (I've already forgotten their names) were delightful folks from down in the Brunswick area. They've had quite a lot experience running some camps in the Jackman area on a seasonal basis. They'll be running Medawisla year-round, with a focus on the camp to camp ski trips that the AMC is now posing. Some non-AMC owned camps are participating in the "chain" and will offer parts of the packages. It sounds like a fun. I might even get over my complaints and have a go at the system this winter.

incidentally, the Spencer Mtns have quite a bit of snow on them. I've been working in their shadows every day. The Bakers, Lilies, Number 4, etc. all have snow as well. It's been mostly rain with a wintry mix down low where I've been, though.

As Stan said, the agreement is part of what the AMC, TNC, Plum Creek and a few others call the Conservation Framework. Basically, it's a carrot everyone is throwing out there to help the Plum Creek plan pass. What's genius about the move [in the chess game known as Plum Creek vs. the world] is that the conservation framework would truly be a good thing for everyone. The deal will only come to fruition if the Plum Creek plan is accepted by LURC. LURC just officially accepted the proposal for review today, in fact. It's a very long, complicated process that I'm just beginning to understand. But anyway, LURC will get started on actually thinking about it now that everything required has been submitted.

now I'm back off to the woods.

spencer