Katahdin Lake Campaign

[Papa Bear]

Today I got a fund raising letter, which is not unusual. What was unusual was it was over Buzz Caverly's name. It was for raising money towards the purchase of the Katahdin Lake area which was negotiated by BSP, the state and the Truist for Public land in May of this year. I think some sort of swap with Quimby was also involved.

I'm not asking you if I should give any money, but for some details of the issue.

Here's a web site Katahdin Lake Campaign.

And here's a map that was included:

So ...

1) How much of this is funded now, and how much money do the need (they don't say in so many words)?

2) What about that green part of the map, the part east of the lake. Is that going to be eventually purchased?

3) What about that little non-colored section on the east shore of the lake? What's there? Is that going to stay private?

4) anything else you know about this deal. I thought it was a good thing, are there any hidden issues.

Thanks

 

[spencer]

1) As of June 30, they had raised half of the $14.2 million. I don't know what the current value of the fund is. The deadline for the $14.2 million is December 15. I have noticed a huge push in the last several weeks by TPL to get the word out and to get money rolling in. I'm not in the development business so I don't know what the strategy is, but the deadline is nearing and it might be a crying out for donations.

2) I don't expect that piece to be a viable acquisition in the near future. Someone is paying way above market value for such land and so it is unlikely to go to the state. If that same person decides to give it to the state someday, it is unclear if the state would want it in the capacity expected.

3) I could tell you but I'd have to kill you. The bottom line is that it's a long-standing inholding that will not likely be sold anytime in the near future. Based on the owners, I don't believe it will have any effect on the plans for the surrounding area.

4) I am a big supporter of the project and I made a post (my 1000th in fact) about it some time ago. I was a bit too aggressive about asking for support so I backed off and just asked that people make themselves aware of the situation.

From my point of view, there was a very controversial state land swap that had to happen for the project to get this far. I have mixed feelings about the land swap but now that it's been done I fully support this going forward.

Spencer

 

[injektilo]

I think that the green area is land recently purchased by Roxanne Quimby... She just reached an agreement with "traditional users" (a debatable term but I digress). Read about it here.

edit: Maybe I'm wrong? Where is the recently purchased Quimby land? Do you know Spencer?

 

[spencer]

The parcel Quimby recently bought is in T2-R8 and T3-R8. It is not the section in green on TPL's map above (actually it's a Natural Areas Program map disguised as a TPL map).

The lowdown as I understand it:

1. Quimby bought the parcel in 2-8 and 3-8 but did not expressly state closing of it to "traditional uses" but it was assumed she would close it. This would effectively cut off access to the northern part of the Katahdin Lake parcel. Remember, that's the part of the parcel that the state agreed to keep under the management of BPL and not BSP.

2. Gov. Baldacci and others got together to work up a deal with surrounding landowners so a new road could be built to regain access to the northern part of the Katahdin Lake parcel. Several landowners put their heads together and came up with plans for a new road. That road was slated to begin being built sometime right about now.

3. [speculation] Quimby realized her move was going to actually result in new roads being built and so she agreed to grant access and negate the need for a new road [/speculation]

If you've been following the chess game over the last 2+ years, you'll surely have noticed that Quimby's style has changed. I used to be an outspoken rabble rouser anytime her name came up. I complained she had no idea what she was doing. I kept telling my now wife that she should hire me to edumacate her. Well, someone seems to have educated her b/c she's been adapting and this latest resolve to allow some access has me downright baffled. Is it possible that she's beginning to understand that Maine people matter? Maybe she's realized her well-intentioned but uneducated actions aren't in everyone's best interest (including the long-term interest of the land, I might add). Well, I dare say things are looking up.

When the dust settles, we'll have a very different 17 million acres.

anyway, I'll stop there...

spencer

 

[Papa Bear]

The parcel Quimby recently bought is in T2-R8 and T3-R8. It is not the section in green on TPL's map above (actually it's a Natural Areas Program map disguised as a TPL map).

The lowdown as I understand it:

1. Quimby bought the parcel in 2-8 and 3-8 but did not expressly state closing of it to "traditional uses" but it was assumed she would close it. This would effectively cut off access to the northern part of the Katahdin Lake parcel. Remember, that's the part of the parcel that the state agreed to keep under the management of BPL and not BSP.
...
spencer

Hi Spencer

I drew on the map some red lines which (as close as I can manage) show the township boundaries.

T2 R8 starts at Millinocket lake and goes north up along the county line to just above the lower end of Baxter (on the map, just above the legend which blocks most of it). T3 R8 goes from there up to East Turner (this is the historic survey line, that you and Tramper Al looked for, no?)

Anyway you can see where I've put the lines on the map.

So did Quimby buy everything south of the Katahdin Lake parcel? And where was the road going to be built? Were they going all the way in from Millinocket Lake on the east side or range 8?

 

[Mad Townie]

Much of T2-R8 and T3-R8 has been heavily harvested over the last several years. There are lots of woods roads (logging roads) throughout the area.

I was up there a couple weeks ago, doing traditional Maine things which will remain undescribed here , and I'll try to post some K photos I took. There are some tremendous spots in that area, ponds with forest and great views of the mountain, a nice stand of very tall red pines, etc.

 

[RoySwkr]

When I climbed East Turner last month I met 2 guys in a BPL truck who were going in for the first time. It appears that the summit of East Turner and the parking spot I used are both in the BPL parcel but access is across the green parcel unless the new road is built.

I thought the private inholding would be the Katahdin Lake sporting camps but apparently it is not.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=45.91524&lon=-68.78609&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG25&s=25

 

[el-bagr]

I heard earlier this week that TPL is still rather short. I can't recall the exact number, but I remember thinking that they have a lot of work to do. There might have been an MPBN or WGAN story about it...

If Spencer has backed off asking for support, I'll step up: here's a link to a secure donation site.

 

[spencer]

If Spencer has backed off asking for support, I'll step up: here's a link to a secure donation site.

I only backed off b/c I was asked by a moderator to edit my post to not suggest that people should donate.

Roy, the inholding is owned by a private landowner and to my knowledge has no improvements on it. It has nothing to do with the camps which are on the southern shore (as your link shows).

spencer

 

[spencer]

As of this morning, the TPL campaign was at $10.5 million of the necessary $14.2 million. The deadline is December 15 and there will be no extension.

Find out more and get involved!

 

[Raymond]

Thanks for those links, Spencer. I couldn't find anything specific to this campaign when I checked the TPL Web site a couple months ago.

 

[Jay H]

I got the same flyer that Papa Bear got on the Katahdin Lake Campaign.. nice flyer, well done. I can only guess that I got it because I am also a MITA member (Maine Island Trail Association). I live nowhere near Baxter, have never been there and I have never gotten anything from these guys before!

Jay

 

[Stan]

I've met Buzz Caverly several times, including a few times when he delivered coffee to us standing in line at 5:00 AM on "opening day", and from what I know of him and what he's knows of the area and Gov. Baxter's intentions, I concluded that when I received a fundraisng letter over his signature it was one I couldn't ignore. I don't expect others to feel this way, especially if the area means nothing more than a half dozen peaks on a list, but otherwise, I think small donations have a great deal of leverage in eliciting the big bucks.

 

[ChrisB]

Time is Now

The Friends of Baxter Park web site has addl info on this very worthy and important cause.

Historically kathadin Lake was a major access point to the Great basin and the summit. Trails obscured by slash logging were usually relocated and rebuilt, occasionally by the AMC.

I wonder if the AMC can/will be an angel here and divert some $$ from their commercial operations at Little Lyford and elswhere in Maine to this cause?

I remember skiing on the Roaring Brook road two Winters ago and hearing the whine of chain saws coming from the East...

I am supporting it for sure.

cb

 

[spencer]

I'm scheduled to meet with someone from TPL next Friday. I will get any new info I can and pass it along to you folks. If anyone really cares about this and wants specific info from them or me, send me an email.

Spencer

 

[injektilo]

According to the PPH, Katahdin Lake is part of BSP!

http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/008313.html

 

[el-bagr]

I called and spoke to TPL yesterday, and they said our donations were sufficient. Good work to all.

 

[spencer]

Yup, thanks to all those of you who helped to make it happen.

I was sorry not to be able to be at one of the two press conferences today.

I look forward to exploring another part of the park!

spencer

 

[TJ aka Teej]

Good news!

Many thanks to all who supported this effort!

 

[Raymond]

As far as I know, the Trust for Public Land still can take advantage of a grant that will match contributed funds (up to a certain amount) until the end of the year. They have other projects going on in New England (at least).