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Poll results

Recent news has focused attention on vast swaths of land across Maine, and their future.

On Monday, Mainebiz reported that timber company Weyerhaeuser is finally abandoning a decade-old plan for a massive subdivision in the Moosehead Lake region. The move will likely result in rezoning that would keep the land from commercial development in the future.

In mid-September, we covered news that 1,900 acres of land in northeastern Aroostook County was rezoned to accommodate planned development by Irving Woodlands LLC. As many as 300 residences and a mix of businesses might be sited on the property, while another 17,000 acres would be protected as conservation land.

Because the properties in both cases lie within Maine's unorganized territories, decision-making about them is the duty of the state's Land Use Planning Commission. This authority has an awesome responsibility, guiding what may become of 10.4 million acres that cover more than half the state — from the western mountains to portions of downeast Maine, from the coastal islands to parcels along the Canadian border.

There's more interest in lands like these than ever. New technology and resources are reinvigorating the state's forest products industry. The outdoor recreation economy is booming. Clearly, there is much at stake, and important questions to be answered.

In general, what should be the path for development in Maine's unorganized territories?
Development is the most realistic solution for the economic woes in rural Maine, including the unorganized territories. (4%, 3 VOTES)
More than ever, Maine needs to preserve undeveloped, wilderness areas. (25%, 17 VOTES)
A mix of development and protected natural areas should always be the goal. (39%, 27 VOTES)
It's impossible to set a general policy. Each case must be considered separately. (25%, 17 VOTES)
The residents of adjoining regions, not the Land Use Planning Commission, should have the final say. (7%, 5 VOTES)
Poll Description

Recent news has focused attention on vast swaths of land across Maine, and their future.

On Monday, Mainebiz reported that timber company Weyerhaeuser is finally abandoning a decade-old plan for a massive subdivision in the Moosehead Lake region. The move will likely result in rezoning that would keep the land from commercial development in the future.

In mid-September, we covered news that 1,900 acres of land in northeastern Aroostook County was rezoned to accommodate planned development by Irving Woodlands LLC. As many as 300 residences and a mix of businesses might be sited on the property, while another 17,000 acres would be protected as conservation land.

Because the properties in both cases lie within Maine's unorganized territories, decision-making about them is the duty of the state's Land Use Planning Commission. This authority has an awesome responsibility, guiding what may become of 10.4 million acres that cover more than half the state — from the western mountains to portions of downeast Maine, from the coastal islands to parcels along the Canadian border.

There's more interest in lands like these than ever. New technology and resources are reinvigorating the state's forest products industry. The outdoor recreation economy is booming. Clearly, there is much at stake, and important questions to be answered.

  • 69 Votes
  • 1 Comments
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1 Comments

  • October 2, 2019

    We have plenty of land to develop in the organized areas of Maine. Adding development far from existing centers of development adds infrastructure costs to a state that is already burdened by to few people over too much land. The only time development would make sense is if the incremental tax revenue would sustain the infrastructure costs but this is highly unlikely.