Plum Creek Update

February 1, 2008— After hearing hundreds of hours of technical testimony focused over four weeks on Plum Creek’s massive development-rezoning proposal for the Moosehead Lake region, the commissioners of Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) voted January 25 to authorize LURC staff to draft a list of the changes that Plum Creek must make to its proposal in order to meet LURC criteria.

Maine Audubon is a formal intervenor in LURC’s review of the Plum Creek proposal, coordinating its legal strategy with the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Through testimony and cross examination, LURC commissioners and staff heard from our team’s nine science and other technical experts—including three members of Maine Audubon’s staff—how Plum Creek’s proposal would harm wildlife, water quality, wetlands, fisheries, recreational experiences, and the natural character of the Moosehead region.

By the third week of March, our legal team will file briefs with LURC outlining, in consideration of all of the information now before the commission, the deficiencies of the proposal and whether we believe they can be resolved to meet LURC criteria. We will continue to make it clear that the amount and location of some proposed development is inappropriate, and that significant changes to the proposal could ensure strong conservation, protect wildlife and the character of the region, and benefit the local economy.

Thank You

Maine Audubon thanks everyone, no matter their views, who took the time to attend and speak out at public hearings or write to LURC about this unprecedented proposal. Winter hearings meant people had to plan around snow storms, icy cold, and winter holidays, yet hundreds of people turned out to show they care about Maine’s wildlife and the future of its lands.

We also tip our winter hats to the staff and commissioners of LURC, whose service to Maine in this matter is enormous.

Still Time

It’s not late to share your views about the proposal directly with LURC commissioners. Click here to learn more.