Maine Chapter Website

Public hearing dates on Plum Creek’s proposal to Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) have been set for December 1, 2, 15, and 16 (see below for times and locations). Plum Creek seeks permission to re-zone nearly 408,000 acres of land in the Moosehead Lake and Greenville region to allow development of:

- 975 house lots, including 236 shorefront lots;
- 2 resorts: one 4,446-acre resort with 800 accommodation units at Lily Bay, and one 777-acre resort with 250 accommodation units;
- 5 new commercial development zones over 432 acres to allow for services such as restaurants, gas stations, stores etc. continue

Have you ever wished you could take one of those distinguished white-background and green-lettered AMC trail signs home with you? You can! Every year the AMC’s White Mountain Trail Crew replaces weathered or out-of-date trail signs with new signs. These signs are considered collector’s items, having guided thousands of visitors for many years along celebrated paths throughout the Whites. And best of all, these retired signs are auctioned off with proceeds going to support trails in the Northeast! continue

A reminder to all members that the AMC’s 13th Annual Photo Contest deadline is Friday, November 30, 2007. This annual photo contest is an opportunity to share your best images with your fellow members and possibly with the planet. Winning photos are posted in April 2008 edition of AMC Outdoors, but all entries will be archived by AMC and used for other needs in publications and on line.
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The Governor’s Task Force on access to public lands and easements is holding two listening sessions: November 27 in Bangor at the Bangor Motor Inn, and November 28 in South Portland at the Community Recreation Center. Both meetings are scheduled for 6:30 – 8:30 PM. continue

Kevin Slater and Polly Mahoney of the Mahoosuc Guide Service in Newry are profiled in the November issue of AMC Outdoors magazine. Kevin and Polly provide professional guide services including dog sledding and canoeing from their base facility on Route 26 near Grafton Notch State Park. For over 20 years, their human-powered trips have been a means to explore Maine wilderness with the help of a wilderness professional.
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Come join us on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 for an evening of discussion on climate change. Paul Kando, a specialist in climate change, will give a presentation titled “Global Warming, an Update for Maine” including a comprehensive picture of the science, symptoms and projected impacts of Global Warming. Elizabeth Ehrenfeld, AMC Board member, will also present on Maine’s efforts for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (REGGI) and explain ways that individuals can make a difference.
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On Tuesday, November 13, 2007, Ken Hutchins will give a presentation on a recent trip to Alaska including a slideshow. If you’re never been to “The Last Frontier”, here’s an opportunity to learn more about this wild and beautiful state.

The location is the South Portland Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland, ME; parking is available off Highland Avenue. Dinner at 6 pm, presentation at 7 pm. Drinks and plasticware will be provided and attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item.

Cool the Climate and Light up Your Home:
Get Answers about Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Gilsland Farm, Maine Audubon Center, Falmouth
Thursday, November 15
7-8:30 p.m.
FREE

A speaker from the Efficiency Maine Team, a division of the Public Utilities Commission, will describe all the qualities of the new compact fluorescent light bulbs. This type of lighting can save a household up to $100 per year, reduce your carbon footprint by 800 lbs/year, and conserve electricity as well. Learn about the color choices, various types, and how to choose the correct bulb for the lamps, sockets and fixtures that you already have in your home. Bring your old bulbs from home and the experts will help you choose the best one for the desired effect.

Call 781-2332, ext 237 for more information

Organized with the help of:
Appalachian Mountain Club, http://www.outdoors.org/
Cool Falmouth, http://www.coolfalmouthme.org/
Efficiency Maine, http://www.efficiencymaine.com/
Interfaith Power and Light, http://www.meipl.org/
Maine Audubon, http://www.maineaudubon.org/

Maine voters approved the Land Bond (a.k.a. Question 4) on Tuesday with 63 percent in favor. A total of $35.5 million will be bonded for natural resource conservation purposes including $17 million earmarked for the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program.

Click here to read an article on the election results in the Portland Press Herald.

Please go to the polls and vote YES on Question 4 on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2007. Question 4 will secure $35.5 million to protect Maine’s valuable natural resources including vital funds for the Land for Maine’s Future Program and other important priorities. Voter turnout is expected to be low so every single vote will count. Stand up for Maine’s heritage and get counted by Voting YES on 4. continue