The $35 million capital campaign launched today by the Downeast Lakes Forestry Partnership to preserve forest land in eastern Washington County is ambitious, but the results would be priceless.
The Downeast Lakes Land Trust and the New England Forestry Foundation formed the partnership to conserve 342,000 acres of forested land in the area. By doing so, the project would connect almost a million acres of protected land in Maine and New Bruns-wick.
Included in the initiative are plans to buy 27,000 acres around Grand Lake Stream for a community forest, and a no-development easement on 312,000 acres.
The project would produce only positives for Maine's future. The public would get a great place to hunt, fish and snowmobile. Wildlife habitat - including 54,000 acres of wetlands - would be undisturbed by development, creating a great destination for birdwatchers. The land would remain taxable under the Tree Growth Tax Law and forest products would continue to be harvested under sustainable management plans.
One of the best parts is everyone in the area seems to welcome the project. The landowner, Wagner Forest Managment Ltd., is willing to sell the easement and land for the community forest. Hunting and fishing lodges and guide businesses in the area like the plan because it would benefit their businesses. The Passamaquoddy Tribe likes it because it would help sustain their economy.
This project is special because it's truly community-based.
A similar project in northern and western Maine was successful. In 1998, the New England Forestry Foundation and the Pingree Association of Maine agreed on a $28 million deal for a conservation easement on more than 750,000 acres of forest land.
This new project is certainly worthwhile, but the challenge will be securing the $35 million needed by the end of next year.
Organizers know it will be tough, especially with the slow economy. The partnership already has requested funding from Congress and applied to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council.
That's good. The partnership should continue to make this project as visible as possible, and so should the Passamaquoddy Tribe, businesses in the area and our state and national leaders.
When so many things are competing for funding, it's going to take a lot of noise to get this done.