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

Comments

[Merrylyn Sawyer]

I'd like to add to the "Moosehead Lake - Manhattan Project?".

What a well-written piece.

Just think of how peaceful Rockwood is even on a "busy" summer day at the dock. Perhaps you have to wait 5 or 10 minutes for the launch to return to pick you up to be taken to Kineo.

Now, think about Rockwood if Plum Creek is allowed to rezone and then construct the Rockwood/Blue Ridge Development: 235 acres of of COMMERCIAL development plus 160 housing lots or units. The quietude of Rockwood will no longer exist. Trucks will be in and out of the area dealing with the commercial development and residents of the 160 lots will be driving down to Rockwood to take the launch over to Kineo. No more lazy pars on the Kineo golf course. You'll have to rush through the holes because the lines will be so long waiting to use the links. No more quiet hikes up Kineo with your family. The place will be overrun with folks from the Rockwood/Blue Ridge Development.

Please, let's preserve Rockwood, Lily Bay and Greenville. Don't let Plum Creek trade the $200 per acre 'trinkets' for glitzy development.

[Kenny B]

You got that right!

PLUM CREEK, GO BACK TO SEATTLE!