At a Feb. 16 news conference, Environment Maine's Matthew Davis emphasizes the importance of transportation alternatives and downtown redevelopment to curb global warming and sprawl.
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It’s hard to imagine that summer tourists will be returning in a few months—flocking to the woods, lakes and shorelines. Spending my childhood summers on Beech Hill Pond and the trails of Acadia, I too look forward to the return of summertime.
Real-estate behemoth Plum Creek is proposing the largest development in Maine’s history on top of Maine’s largest wilderness. Plum Creek claims it’ll stimulate economic development by increasing the influx of visitors to the region, but there are no protections on the character of the place that long-time visitors and locals love. There are no guarantees that the public will have continued access to hike, fish, hunt and camp throughout the thousands of acres of woods. Our centuries-old tradition of forested areas open for recreation will be set off limits.
Not only will the wilderness be cut apart with sprawl, but also the very thing that visitors come to visit will be destroyed. As fond of Acadia as I am, it is overdeveloped—those who are looking for wilderness haven’t visited the area in decades.
There must be an overarching development and protecting vision for the North Woods—it has to be smart, concentrated in town centers, well-planned and protect the region’s character forever. Otherwise, real estate companies will continue to subdivide away our wilderness traditions and recreational enthusiasts will have to go elsewhere. That’s a picture of Maine that I don’t care to imagine, which is why Environment Maine is working to protect and preserve our state’s wilderness, culture and character.
Matthew Davis
Advocate
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