Penobscot River Resource Plan - Lower West Branch

T3 R11 WELS, T2 R11 WELS (Rainbow Township), T2 R10 WELS, T2 R9 WELS, T1 R10 WELS and T1 R9 WELS, Piscataquis County

Zoning Petition ZP 671-A

Last Updated: October 5, 2022

The Resource Protection Plan for the Lower West Branch of the Penobscot River and associated Resource Protection subdistrict will expire on December 26, 2022. The Commission contacted each of the landowners and co-applicants from the 2002 Plan, who did not wish to renew the Plan at this time. The Commission has therefore begun the process of preparing replacement zoning appropriate for the resources present and the existing development within the Plan area.

The Plan covers an approximately 500-foot buffer along each side of the Lower West Branch of the Penobscot River, from 400 feet below Ripogenus Dam to Ambajejus Lake. The Plan includes land in 6 townships in Piscataquis County: T3 R11 WELS, Rainbow Township, T2 R10 WELS, T2 R9 WELS, T1 R10 WELS, and T1 R9 WELS. Expiration of the Plan will not affect existing development and uses. Additionally, expiration of the Plan will not affect any terms of the permanent conservation easement in place along the Penobscot River Corridor.

Materials relating to the petition will be posted here as they become available.

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Date Project Update or Event Additional Information
October 6, 2022 Consideration of adoption of proposed replacement zoning
August 22, 2022 Review Agency Comments
August 15, 2022 Zoning Petition Materials
August 15, 2022 Proposal to Replace Expiring Resource Protection Plan

Prior Actions - ZP 671

Approved by the Maine Land Use Planning Commission
Effective Date: December 26, 2002 (originally adopted in 1981)

2002 Renewal submitted by Great Northern Paper Company, Great Lakes Hydro America LLC, Baxter State Park Authority, Chewonki Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.

Plan Contents

Download the Entire Plan (PDF 1.6MB)
View the Resource Plan Map

Plan Sections

Resource Protection Plan +

Download Resource Protection Plan (PDF 270KB)

  • Contents
  • Cover Page
  • Preface
  • Table of Contents
  • I. Application
  • II. Purpose and Objectives
  • III. Description of Area
  • IV. Conservation Easement
  • V. Land Use Activities
  • VI. Future Land Uses
  • VII. Management Agencies
  • VIII. Duration of Plan

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Appendices +

Appendices (PDF 925KB)

  • A. Maps of Plan Area
  • B. Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Conservation Easement
  • C. Timber Harvesting Standards
  • D. Road and Water Crossing Standards
  • E. Mineral Extraction Standards
  • F. Sign Standards
  • G. Definitions

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Recreation Management Plan (PDF 431 KB)