An introduction to "the Maine Project"
by Gabrielle Kissinger

The Appalachian Mountain Club is working on a new, model project for outdoor recreation and land protection in Maine. In early June, Gerry Whiting, AMCs Special Projects Manager in Maine, and I held meetings in Portland and Bangor to obtain input from AMC members on the project's concept. While turnout was not as high as we hoped, we did get feedback that's helping to shape the project. One important thing we learned is that the name we have been using, the Recreational Corridor, does not adequately describe the scale of the project. It's a lot more than just recreation. While we have not yet come up with a new name (we're calling it the "Maine Project" for now), the following description of its goals and objectives will let you know what it's all about.

The Maine Project is being designed to provide a variety of opportunities for non-motorized, backcountry recreation; for example, hiking, paddling, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking . It will ensure continued public access to large tracts of forest land in the North Woods. The project will be part of a landscape that includes sustainable forestry and protection of ecologically significant lands. We anticipate the timeline of this project to unfold slowly, and be a focus for AMC activities for next 50 - 100 years. Through this project, we hope to:

• provide and protect recreational access to the North Woods;

• create new, and needed, long-distance and day hiking opportunities;

• create opportunities for quiet paddling and backcountry, nordic skiing, within a framework of already existing uses, such as fishing and hunting; 

• work with conservation partners to ensure protection of important wildlife habitat;

• provide a physical base for environmental education, especially for school children;

• provide for low-impact backcountry overnight facilities; 

• protect jobs and ensure the economic viability of Maine's forest land by supporting a model sustainable forestry project.

As this project is still very much in its early stages, it will benefit from your continued input. Feedback received so far indicates members are very interested in the AMC playing a lead role to protect North Woods land from development and to ensure continued public access. Members also feel wilderness protection should be an important part of the project mix; that we should create new opportunities for multi-day hiking, paddling, and nordic skiing; that any facilities or camps should be used for many purposes, including environmental education; and that we should work with existing users, such as snowmobilers and sportsmen, to work out compatible use arrangements. Gerry is currently talking with potential partners and looking for land that we might purchase outright or acquire some less-than-full-title interest in (an easement). We are very open to the possibilities for this project.

As Maine-based AMC staff, Gerry and I look forward to keeping our members informed about the project as it progresses, and welcome members, the Chapter board and its committees to become involved in this project. The AMC views the Maine Project as an important investment in Maine, the Northern Forest, and ensuring a balance between recreation, conservation, education and sustainable forestry.