See you in court: NRCM appeals Plum Creek decision

Today NRCM filed an appeal in Maine Superior Court of LURC’s decision on the Plum Creek development plan for the Moosehead region.  After spending countless hours reviewing LURC’s decision, and sharing the frustration of Maine people, it became clear that there were substantial grounds for an appeal and a need to do so.

We took on the Plum Creek issue knowing that the odds were stacked against us.  Appeals of this type are an uphill battle.  But we believe we have a strong case, and we are confident in the legal team that is representing us.  And without the strong commitment of our members and activists, we could not be doing this important work. 

We’ve posted information about the appeal on our website.  This includes a detailed position statement, a Question-and-Answer list, and the full text of the appeal for those of you who are interested in the details.

Comments

[Craig Hadley]

Thank you NRCM for taking such a strong and clear stand. I agree with your points and still cannot fathom why the State has not completed a regional planning process that was initiated in 1986 in a Federal North Woods Impact Study, but then let this issue lie until recent years, reacting to Plum Creek's proposal, without adequate vetting from all perspectives to allow the most balanced answer for not only Plum Creek but for the Moosehead Region and perhaps as a guideline for Lurc's territorial area of oversight.

[Beth Dimond]

Paul, Thank you for your comment. Here is some information about other Maine conservation organizations and their involvement in the Plum Creek case:

Restore: the North Woods and Forest Ecology Network have also both appealed.

Neither the Sierra Club nor The Wilderness Society formally intervened in the earlier LURC proceeding; therefore, it is would be very difficult for them to appeal now.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has completed their purchase of the 29,500-acre Roaches tract from Plum Creek and we are not aware of any other pending purchases by AMC from Plum Creek.

Hope this information is helpful.

[Paul Mozell]

What other conservation groups are taking a strong stand here. Will Sierra Club and Wilderness Society join in? Does AMC have too much as stake in their relationship with Plum Creek?