Highlights of Maine Audubon's concerns with Plum Creek proposal

FALMOUTH, Maine, June 17, 2007—Plum Creek’s Plan and Wildlife

Maine Audubon’s wildlife biologists are finalizing their assessment of details in the more than 1,000 pages of Plum Creek’s concept plan.

Highlighted here are five examples of their concerns:

• Canada Lynx—How will the Canada lynx species be harmed if Plum Creek develops the Lily Bay peninsula and the northside of Long Pond? The United States lists the Canada lynx as a threatened species—and the forest habitat of Moosehead offers the species one of its best chances to recover. That’s why Canada lynx have been spotted in the region so many times.

• Water quality—If Plum Creek builds a resort on 4,500 acres on Moose Mountain, how will that affect brook trout? And how will it affect the water quality and wildlife of neighboring Burnham and Indian Ponds?

• Roads—What impacts will building and expanding roads around Moosehead Lake have on all types of wildlife, including frogs and turtles, porcupines and beaver, bobcat and lynx, and deer and moose?

• Shoreland Habitat—How would developing the shores of Moosehead lakes, ponds, and streams harm important habitat for waterfowl and wading birds and for the common loons that nest and raise chicks there?

• Conservation—Are the conservation measures Plum Creek proposes adequate to support current and future opportunities for nature-based tourism, hunting, and fishing? As everyone acknowledges, recreational tourism is the economic lifeblood of the Moosehead area.

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action. For more than 160 years, Maine Audubon has been connecting people with nature and leading science-based conservation in major projects across the state. An independent affiliate of Audubon’s national organization, Maine Audubon has seven local chapters, 11 nature centers and sanctuaries, and 11,000

members and supporters.

##