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Conservation Framework Timeline
March 2006 - The Framework Partners reached agreement with Plum Creek on the Moosehead Conservation Framework.
October 2006 - The Nature Conservancy, on behalf of the partners, signed a purchase and sale agreement with Plum Creek setting the terms for implementing the Framework for a total price of $35 million.
Current Status - Plum Creek’s Concept Plan is being reviewed by Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission. Public Hearings are scheduled for November 2007. |
The Moosehead Conservation Framework is a package of conservation actions that will permanently protect more than 400,000 acres. The Framework includes three parcels to be conserved through fee and easement purchases and one to be covered by an easement provided at no cost by Plum Creek:
Moosehead Legacy Easement - A permanent easement that protects 266,000 acres of working forest lands, ensuring conservation, sustainable forestry, and public recreational access. This easement may be held by the state or by a nonprofit conservation organization.
Moose River Parcel - A fee purchase of 45,200 acres to be acquired by the Conservancy. It includes the remaining unprotected portions of Number 5 Bog and the Moose River Bow canoe trip. The bog is one of the largest, most diverse and least disturbed peatlands in the Eastern U.S. and the Moose River Bow trip is among the best-known remote paddling routes in the state.
Roach Ponds Parcel - A fee purchase of more than 29,000 acres straddling the headwaters of the Kennebec, Penobscot, and Pleasant Rivers. With ten remote ponds, this land completes a corridor of protection along the “100-mile wilderness” section of the Appalachian trail. This parcel will be held by Appalachian Mountain Club.
Moosehead/Roach River Easement - Plum Creek has separately proposed an easement on approximately 90,000 acres to be provided to balance proposed development. Forest Society of Maine will hold this easement.
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Brian Kent (First Roach Pond and Shaw Mountain); Photo © David McLain (cranberries in Number 5 Bog).
