*Scroll down for links to all articles printed on this subject*

From the onset, we’ve been able to assess that the goal of the Backcountry Project is to identify as much land as they can for consideration of wilderness designation. Leading up to the part of the meeting where participants actually got to begin listing their dream wilderness locations, some assorted terminology was used along with brief descriptions of what the BP already had for information.

Steve Spencer, director of Backcountry Project and a member of the staff of the Maine Department of Conservation, shared with those in attendance about a convention he attended in Alaska. This is the first entry using the term “Re-Wilding”.

Steve mentioned he had participated in a International Wilderness Concepts and Practices Course and attended the 8th World Wilderness Congress in Alaska s; an interesting concept was “Re-Wilding” various parcels of land. One example (from Garret Conover) might be for TNC to plant trees on roads adjacent to St John River corridor.

(I am to assume that TNC might be refering to The Nature Conservancy?) I am mentioning these terms so that all of us can become familiar with what they mean so that we may better understand the goals of BP.

The term “eco-reserves” was also used.

Brief discussion on ‘eco reserves’ (places identified for protection based on ecological values rather than human, social, or recreational values). There is a high likelihood that eco-reserves and backcountry areas will overlap.

Here’s an interesting comment or observation made by someone (at least it’s in the minutes).

We have lots of data on ecological values and measurements, little data on social and recreational values and measurements.

If this is a true statement and if the same is suggesting that this group is in need of more data on social and recreational values and measurements, they sure haven’t assembled the right people to assist in that endeavor.

After reviewing a map and letting the group know that included in this eventory of possible land grabs are long distance corridors like the Appalachian Trail, 100-mile Wilderness, Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Maine Island Trail, an explanation of the Project and goals was given.

The backcountry project will run for 1 year and is supported by a grant from Kendall. The Goal is to create a complete inventory of what is out there and what are the next big areas and long trails to acquire and protect.

I might be nit-picking here but I try to pay fairly close attention to the use of the English language in determining what someone means. These minutes are so brief it is hard to know for sure.

As part of the goals as made in this statement, it says they will inventory “what’s out there” and what are the “NEXT BIG areas” to acquire and protect. I may be reading into this but what is actually meant by “next big”? What has this group or perhaps more precisely, what has DOC already acquired that is “BIG” and protected? Are they refering to the Baxter land deal? Are they talking about lands bought by Roxanne Quimby?

Ralph Knoll, Bureau of Parks and Lands, summarized his organizations plans.

Ralph provided a brief summary of ongoing BPL management planning. Intent is to have 3 projects underway at any given time.

I’m not sure what that statement means to be honest. It comes in the minutes right before the list of areas to be considered for wilderness designation. If I take it as I see it, I would guess that the BPL plans on taking 3 projects from the list of “considered” areas and go to work on them to find ways of acquiring and/or protecting.

Here’s the list of which is anyone’s guess as to who put this list together. Was it compiled by DOC prior to this meeting? Was it brainstormed together at this meeting? Was each invitee asked to bring their wish list to the meeting? Was this list put together by any and all groups bent on land protection through wilderness designation, including out-of-state interests?

• Kennebec Highlands
• White Mountain National Forest
• AMC lands
• St John River Corridor
• TNC Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness
• TNC/Haynes 1 Ok ac. N of Donnell Pond
• Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge
• Sunkhaze
• Umbagog
• Add KI-JoMary to the map
• Show rivers on map for multi day trips
• Saco – not thought of as wilderness but maybe candidate for reclamation
• Benjamin Valley
• Roxanne Quimby land
• Katahdin Iron Works
• Roach River
• Mooselookmeguntic to Rapid River
• Borestone
• Downcast lakes Land Trust
• Rangely Lakes Land Trust
• Androscoggin River Water Trail
• Appalachian Trail
• International Appalachian Trail
• Maine Island Trail

You tell me how massive this list is and it’s only a start. This list also cuts into the heart of some areas that provide a sizable economic boom to local business. On this list is the Saco River, with this added on: “not thought of as wilderness but maybe candidate for reclamation”. As much as some of us might not care so much for how the Saco River is used, it does provide a need for a lot of people. Does this group think they can just designate a river like the Saco and “reclaim it” to conform to their standards of recreation? Aren’t the party goers on the Saco good enough for this group? Is the money they pour into the economies through the Saco River Valley not as good as the money from the wealthy, wilderness seekers invisioned by participants of the Backcountry Project? Maine they even think Maine doesn’t need a little help from this kind of recreation-based enterprises. This stinks!

Some of the areas designated on this list I find extremely disturbing and would become a major disruption to local and statewide economies should these areas be virtually shut down to the forms of recreation now being enjoyed there.

The White Mountains Nation Forest? What? They really want to shut that down? It becomes obvious that the Katahdin land swap deal that puts another 4-6,000 acres into wilderness designation is but a mere drop in the bucket compared to the plans of this group.

I just find the actions of this group appauling. I also believe this is a direct reflection of the sitting governor, someone who might just consider himself to be slightly better than the average Mainer. He may even consider himself above the law. It’s obvious he condons secrecy and applies it to many of his “initiatives”.

Next I’ll show some of the thoughts and what was tossed around the room for ideas of what parameters to use in making determinations of which areas should be considered.

*Previous Posts*

Maine Backcountry Project – Meeting Minutes Part II
Maine Backcountry Project – Meeting Minutes Part I
Grant For BackCountry Project Approved
Question Five – Who’s Going To Pay?Question Four – Is $25,000 Enough Money?
Question Three – Peer-Review Group, Who Will It Be?
Job Description – Backcountry Project Director
Integrated Resources Policy Excerpts
Grant Application For Backcountry Project – Question One
The Five Questions – Maine Backcountry Project
Wilderness Planning Initiative For Kendall Foundation – Proposal
Wilderness Planning Initiative For Kendall Foundation – Need
Wilderness Planning Initiative – Backcountry Project

Tom Remington

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