NRCM Blog

Moosehead Lake: "Manhattan Project?"

This letter references Meg Haskell's 10-25-07 article, "Plum Creek looks to Bangor for project supporters."

I can imagine the scene in 1626. A well-heeled developer “from away” invites a hand-picked group of influential tribal leaders to a little do: a nice meal, a little firewater, whatever might have passed for a Powerpoint presentation in those days, and $24.00 worth of costume jewelry. Maybe the Dutch promised to leave certain areas intact — hunting and fishing areas, burial grounds, sacred places. Maybe they promised increased trade opportunities for the impoverished tribes in that area. We’ll never know anything about the deliberative processes involved, but we know for sure what happened to the wilderness around Manhattan. And we also know how things turned out for the natives.

Fast-forward to the evening of October 23, 2007. A well-heeled developer “from away” invites a hand-picked group of influential area business leaders to a little do: a nice meal, a little cabernet sauvignon — you get the picture. The costume jewelery is pricier this time around but no less tawdry. They promise to leave certain areas intact. They promise increased trade opportunities. Sounding familiar?

Moosehead Lake is Plum Creek’s own little “Manhattan Project.” No matter how they try to spin it, they are in it for the money. To them, the Moosehead region — one of the most pristine and spectacular wilderness areas left in this country — is a revenue stream.

It’s amazing how little human nature has changed in the past 381 years.

Steve Chiasson

Download bangor_daily_news_plum_creek_102507.pdf

Open thread, Monday, October 29, 2007

Find something in the news this week that you want to talk about?  Here is your chance to leave comments about things in the news, or links to other news that you want NRCM readers to see.  Comment below after reading the news stories this week at www.nrcm.org

What do you love about Moosehead?

In an op-ed in today's Bangor Daily News, Al Manville and Sandy Scholar wrote, "What we will see from this megadevelopment is the likely loss of local businesses like Harris Drug Store, Auntie M’s and Morrell’s to Rite Aid, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot. Is this what the Moosehead Lake region is going to become?"

What concerns do you have about the Plum Creek development? What special features of the Moosehead region would you miss if Plum Creek's massive development is allowed to happen? Let us know what you love most about Moosehead Lake.

Open thread, Monday, October 22, 2007

Find something in the news this week that you want to talk about?  Here is your chance to leave comments about things in the news, or links to other news that you want NRCM readers to see.  Comment below after reading the news stories this week at www.nrcm.org

We need YOU to help protect Moosehead Lake!

LURC has tentatively rescheduled the Plum Creek public hearing dates. We will know for sure after the November 7th LURC meeting if these dates are approved. The dates and locations are:

Saturday, December 1st - Greenville
Sunday, December 2nd - Augusta
Saturday, December 15th - Portland
Sunday, December 16th - Greenville

Learn what you can do to help protect Moosehead Lake. 

Power of the People: The growing movement to stop global warming

Make sure to mark your calendar and attend NRCM's annual meeting, "Power of the People," on Saturday, October 27 at the University of Southern Maine, Portland campus.  Learn more and register for the event by clicking here.

The debate is over: human activity has contributed to global warming and the consequences may be dire. Fortunately, a new movement is emerging to help individuals harness their power as voters, investors, and consumers to contribute to the solution. Join us for a presentation by people who are making a difference locally and nationally and learn what you can do to turn your personal commitment into collective action. Click here to learn more about the panelists.

Watch the Video of "The Ballad of Moosehead Lake"

Second Mars Hill Wind Tour Participants Enjoy Beautiful Fall Foliage, a Strong Breeze, and Learning First-hand about Maine’s Only Up-and-Running Wind Farm

Many Mainers joined the Natural Resources Council of Maine on Saturday, September 29th, for our second excursion to Maine —and New England’s— only large wind farm, located at Mars Hill.  The group toured the ridge line, met with wind farm developer UPC Wind, enjoyed the incredible fall colors, and went round the mountain to gain perspectives from town officials and residents about the benefits of wind power to our environment and on local communities and to hear the project on a windy day from multiple locations. The weather ended up cooperating and we had at the very least partly sunny skies and steady winds, hot summer sun and beautiful fall colors greeting us in Mars Hill.

Open thread, Monday, October 15, 2007

Find something in the news this week that you want to talk about?  Here is your chance to leave comments about things in the news, or links to other news that you want NRCM readers to see.  Comment below after reading the news stories this week at www.nrcm.org

Open thread, Monday, October 8, 2007

Find something in the news this week that you want to talk about?  Here is your chance to leave comments about things in the news, or links to other news that you want NRCM readers to see.  Comment below after reading the news stories this week at www.nrcm.org