Katahdin forest, Machias River areas to be conserved (200K + acres Maine)

[jpak]

http://news.mainetoday.com/midday/index.html#3

AUGUSTA — About 200,000 acres near northern Maine's Baxter State Park and along the Machias River chain's frontage will be conserved under agreements announced Tuesday by Gov. John Baldacci and conservation groups.

The combination of the land acquisitions and easements are financed with a combination of federal, state and private funds.

The largest share of the lands, 195,000 acres, encompasses several parcels abutting or near Baxter State Park's southern and western edges.

The purchase of development rights completes the Katahdin Forest Project, keeping the lands open to recreational activities while permitting sustainable logging that keeps paper mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket supplied with timber.

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