Mahoosuc Conservation Initiative Forums

[arghman]

I cannot find an online webpage to point people at (ARWC's website is not up-to-date), but I just got the Winter 2006 issue of the Androscoggin River Watershed Council's newsletter. Their cover story is titled "Mahoosuc Region the Focus of Major Conservation Initiative".

Unfortunately I don't have time to type in the full article. Quick summary is that ARWC and Mahoosuc Land Trust have begun some kind of "joint initiative designed to help conserve the natural integrity and traditional uses of the Mahoosuc Region." This has been done because "Today, the Mahoosuc Region is a patchwork of lands, each owned by companies whose economic plans are not necessarily the same as those of the former owners. A major concern is that the Mahoosuc Region's longstanding forest heritage will be steadily eroded under this new land ownership pattern. At risk is the long-term maintenance of an intact working forest that has traditionally accommodated outdoor recreation, wildlife protection, and a sustainable forest products economy. Some of the new companies have already begun selling off parts of their lands in order to realize their investment goals. A bifurcated landscape characterized by sprawl and reduced natural areas would forever change this Northern Forest region."

[Those of you who have been hiking in the NH Mahoosucs recently are probably aware that the landowner there, TR Dillon, has been doing heavy timber harvesting... Dillon has a history of reselling lands after he's cut them to other companies for further development.]

They don't give any specific details in the article, but mention that there are two public forums this week to discuss recent land ownership changes in the Mahoosuc Region of Maine & New Hampshire:

Wed February 8 at NH Community Technical College on Rt 16 in Berlin
Thu February 9 at Bethel Historical Society on Broad St in Bethel Maine.

Both meetings begin at 7pm (refreshments served at 6:30pm).

Contact info for ARWC:
603 466 3433
[email protected]

If someone in the area can make it, please fill the rest of us in on what's going on.

 

[vegematic]

I'm planning to be at the Bethel meeting on Thursday night. I'd bet Peakbagger will be at the Gorham one. If anyone plans to be in the Bethel area and wants to attend feel free to pm or email me for directions.
-vegematic

 

[peakbagger]

I was at the Berlin event last evening. If you are interested in the future of the Mahoosuc region, its worth going to the meeting. A broad coalition of conservation groups have gotten together and are trying to be proactive about the future of the area. The breakup of the ownership of lands in the area and the shift in the ecomomics of the area in such a short period of time is driving this effort. Although there are a lot of desirable outcomes from the project, in the short term a group of consultants have been hired to develop a report with heavy emphasis on GIS to establish where the area is today and where its going.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is an initial roll out of a concept to the public, and is definitely a concept that is evolving. The group is very interested in getting public input on special places of interests that need protection.

 

[vegematic]

FYI: If anyone is planning on going to the Bethel meeting tonight I heard it has been moved from the Historical
Society to the Bethel Inn Conference Center. The Conference Center is next to the Historical Society and set
back from the road a bit. Hope to see some of you there.
-vegematic.