Thursday, February 05, 2004
Maine North Woods National Park?
Maine North Woods National Park?
Maine's North Woods from Canada easterly to Baxter State Park may be the object of a proposed National Park per an article in this month's National Geographic Magazine. Since Maine's paper companies which large tracts of pulp wood forest consuming half of northern Maine -open in some areas to trapping hunting & fishing for years - have diminished in pulp wood supply importance and may be sold; many, including this blogger, have long encouraged an Adirondack like park for upper Maine joining the Allagash in the far north and Baxter State Park. Baxter State Park originated by the love of a popular Maine Governor for the woodlands and forests of his state; who bought vast tracts around Mount Katahdin and joined it into a state park today bearing is name. It remains the largest state park in the East. Maine's economy not being New York State's, a Federal joinder to a great project to at least stay further development in the state as the paper companies timberlands open is welcome. All that is needed is the same easement forrmula which created and sustained the Adirondack park in New York State. It takes a Federal condemnation and money to compensate the state's tax base; but it can be done; and done to conserve Maine's greatest values in tourism and natural conservation. This blogger has lived in Maine; descends from Mainers ..seen Katahdin - loved it - wishes the opportunity could be realized to save Maine's woods for others. Governor Baxter battled the biggest industry in his state to save a widerness area. His example deserves to be followed in this new challenge to the post-pulp wood ere of Maine. Let it not be sold and raped again. And no - the Federal government isn't being aske to take unprofitable surplus pulp timber acreage off the Maine tax rolls. |