Flagstaff Region Public Reserved Lands Management Plan

June 4, 2014

For more information contact: Jim Vogel at: 207-287-2163

A Public Meeting will be held on June 12 to receive comments on proposed amendments

FARMINGTON - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry?s, Bureau of Parks and Lands will hold a public meeting to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Flagstaff Region Public Reserved Lands Management Plan adopted in 2007. These amendments resulted from a scheduled 5-year Plan review conducted over the last year.

The public meeting will be: Thursday, June 12, 2014 6:00-8:00 pm University of Maine-Farmington Olsen Student Center, North Dining Hall A

Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed the importance of public input and diligent work of the Advisory Committee. ?The Advisory Committee met two times to review the Flagstaff Region Public Reserved Lands Management Plan and review and discuss several proposals. I encourage interested parties to become involved in the future of our public lands by commenting on the proposed amendments,? said Commissioner Whitcomb.

The 15-year multiple-use Management Plan adopted by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands for the Flagstaff Region in 2007 is subject to reviews at the 5 and 10 year intervals, and a full revision at 15 years. The purpose of the 5-year review is to document progress on addressing the Plan recommendations, and to assess whether any conditions have changed that would warrant amendments to the Plan prior to the 15-year revision. This review is conducted first with the Plan Advisory Committee (AC), and if any amendments are proposed, a public meeting is required to receive comments prior to adoption of any amendments.

The Bureau held two AC meetings in August and December of 2013, where several proposals developed by regional trails organizations were presented and discussed. These proposals are for new non-motorized trails at Chain of Ponds, and at the Bigelow Preserve and adjacent public lands; and for a new motorized trail crossing the Appalachian Trail on the Redington Lot. Also discussed was a proposal for a new trailered boat access on the east side of Flagstaff Lake, related to federal requirements for operation of the Flagstaff Lake hydropower project. The Bureau has determined that the proposed amendments are warranted due to conditions not considered in the 2007 Plan development.

The proposed amendments have been posted on the Department website at http://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/calendar/meeting.shtml?id=616580. There you will find downloadable copies of the Management Plan and proposed amendments as well as Advisory Committee meeting minutes.

Written comments will be accepted until June 26 ? two weeks after the Public Meeting. After the comment period, the Final plan amendments will be prepared for review and adoption by the Commissioner and will become part of the Flagstaff Region Management Plan.

For more information, contact:

Jim Vogel, Management Plan Coordinator (jim.vogel@maine.gov) Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands 22 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 (207) 287-2163 (207) 287-6170 (fax)