What Citizens Wrote to LURC about Lily Bay
“Its isolated location is a good reason why it is not well suited for development. It does not make sense to develop this isolated wilderness and create a large resort, RV park, marina, or residential housing which would compete with the area’s existing resorts and communities rather than enhancing them…I can say, based on my first hand experience, that there are several prime spawning grounds around the Lily Bay Peninsula that would be threatened by any permanent development. In addition, because the lake is shallow and muddy in the two bays, I fear the increased boat traffic and pollution from the land development would severely degrade the quality of the lake water, harming all of the wildlife that depends on it. Also, I fear that the visual appeal that currently provides a unique foliage viewing opportunity for many fall tourists will be gone forever.” Frank Altimore, Greenville, ME
“I oppose the proposed plans of Plum Creek to develop huge areas of the Moosehead Lake region, especially the development around Lily Bay…The suggested sale of lots would constitute a massive change to the character of Maine’s north woods, and would destroy forever the wilderness that is the soul of the state.” Janice Anthony, Jackson, ME
“As a regular user of the campground on Lily Bay, I would like to keep all development away from Lily Bay. This is the one easily accessible place that people of modest means can access the lake. At the very least, let us preserve this area for people of modest means.” Peter H. Brown, Bethesda, MD
“As a long time (forty years) summer resident to this area, I am opposed to the Plum Creek development plan, particularly the Lily Bay proposal. I am concerned with the intent to make a large, “upscale” resort that by its very nature may become an exclusive enclave. This area has a culture of hunting, fishing, and camping as represented by the Lily Bay State Par which to me is synonymous with the Maine woods and I would like to see it kept this way, a welcome to all not just those with money.” Marjorie E. Burns
“When I learned of Plum Creek’s plan for a “resort” at Lily Bay, my heart sank. Will the park now be crowded in by private golf courses, power boats, and a six-story luxury hotel? I wanted to register my strong request that LURC require Plum Creek to scale back their “concept” for the Moosehead region. Please do not let them take the beautiful Lily Bay experience away from our kids and the next generation of Maine citizens.” Melissa Burch, Orono, ME
“We have spent many precious hours in these areas – particularly Lily Bay, where the tangible silence and breathtaking beauty is truly balm for the soul. The very thought of this treasure being replaced by a resort and subdivision developments is anathema. PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN.” Irene and Kenneth Batchelor, Sound Beach, NY
“A second resort at Lily Bay would include 777 acres and 250 accommodation units. Both resorts could include widespread commercial development such as restaurants, gasoline stations, beauty shops, golf courses, and club houses. Both resorts could have building up to six stories high. Considering that Greenville now only has 1200 houses, these additional structures represent a catastrophic loss of the feeling of remoteness of the Moosehead region.” Bets Broth, South China, ME
“We camped at Lily Bay…What a fantastic, pristine area – a world class treasure. There are very few places in the world that matter, that have a wonderful large undeveloped lake like this. It would be a shame to develop it and lose more of the true character of what Maine is.”Phil Brzozowski, Pittston, ME
“I am terrified of Plum Creek’s plan for the Moosehead region because some day I want to be able to share my life and childhood with my children by exploring the unspoiled natural beauty of Moosehead with them. I want them to fish the same wild sections of East Outlet, kayak across Lily Bay in silence and count the loons nesting on the islands.” Elizabeth Connelly
“When I grew up and married my husband and our family moved to Ohio, we took our children to Moosehead for many summers and camped at Lily Bay.” Rosemary Carlson, Pana, IL
“We rented a cabin and spent a glorious week swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking at Lily Bay State Park. We marveled at the peace and quiet, how dark it was at night, and the incredible natural beauty of the landscape. It was a week we all remember fondly and we have returned to this area several times since our first visit.” Paula Costin, South Portland, ME
“Please, please oppose the plan. The scale is too large. Lily Bay and native wildlife habitats will be threatened, and we will lose forever a state treasure.” Lisa Crowley, Cape Elizabeth, ME
“My wife and our children have been coming to Lily Bay…for over thirty years. Moosehead Lake is an international treasure and development on the vast scale envisioned by Plum Creek, we all know, will quickly destroy forever this one–of–a–kind place.” Patrick Davis, Thomaston, ME
“Moosehead Lake area should be preserved and kept free from development. Lily Bay campground is absolutely beautiful, clean, and pristine. Moosehead Lake should be kept pristine so that future generations can enjoy this wilderness for years to come.” Nancy Duante, Unity, ME
“I am most concerned about the impact on Lily Bay. To go from virtually no development to a resort with 250 units and 154 residential lots would destroy the beauty and tranquility of the bay forever. Our family first came to Lily Bay State Park in 1974. It was love at first sight. We have camped and visited many other lakes and ponds in Maine but there has always been something very special about the vast openness of Moosehead. In 1995 we were fortunate to purchase a piece of property on Long Island in Tussle Lagoon as part of the Lily Bay Island Association. We are a small community of only 22 families, but as more and more of these families have built camps nearby we have seen significant changes in our small area. For example, we used to see moose all the time, but have seen non in 3 years. Ducks and loons used to live in the lagoon, but now only visit. Our shore line has eroded about three inches from increased boat traffic in the lagoon. If these changes have occurred because of 22 families, I fear what 400 more would do.” ANONYMOUS
“We have been coming to camp at Lily Bay State Park for many years now. We sit by the fire, watch the sunset, canoe, hike, and look for wildlife. Just to see the sky full of stars at night is worth the trip. The quiet beauty of the area serves to renew us for the rest of the year.”Frederick and Linda Dodge, Stow, MA
“Having camped at Lily Bay and hiked the hills around the lake and north of it, we noticed that Moosehead is a gateway to the Maine woods and wilderness extending toward Baxter State Park.” Nancy Esu
“Plum Creek’s proposed development is too big for the Moosehead Lake region, particularly the resort at Lily Bay.” Dan French, Jamaica Plain, MA
“I have stayed in Lily Bay where they want to build a marina. I have snowmobiled through much of the wilderness which their plan will destroy with development. The region has such an innocence and history to it. I could never imagine it really being gone.” Jacob Maxmin, Nobleboro, ME
“As a summer resident of Carlton Point on Lily Bay for the past 23 years, I am deeply concerned over the potential development of the shoreline on Lily Bay by Plum Creek. I have often paddled my canoe along that section of the lake. The western section the water drops off rapidly but has many large boulders and is exposed to weather conditions, which are often severe. The land in this section is mostly wetland for several hundred feet. The eastern section is very shallow and in late summer you can touch bottom with your paddle. Any development in this section would require a significant amount of dredging.” John W. Fish, Greenville, ME
“We have enjoyed camping at Lily Bay for many years. It was the unspoiled beauty of the area that attracted us and has kept us coming back year after year.” Carol and Scott Grant, Warwick, RI
“Growing up I traveled several times to beautiful Moosehead Lake and the Lily Bay area to spend amazing summer vacations on and around the lake. The beauty of the area was greatly enhanced for me by the pristine nature setting. There was no running water, no electricity, no street light and no noise. It was silent at night, but for the call of the occasional loon or other wild critter. The stars were never as bright in my memory as when we looked up over the dark lake at night. Please save this beautiful area and keep it pristine and quiet by stopping the Plum Creek development.” Lisa Gilmore, Belfast, ME
“The proposed development in Lily Bay and number of household lots is still too large and should be scaled back.” R.J. Gonyea, South Bristol, ME
“My husband, our children, and I have camped many times at Lily Bay State Park, as well as made day visits. The kids love the quiet beauty of the park and the multitude of areas to explore. When we ask where they want to camp, the answer is usually, “Lily Bay.” Please preserve the nature of the Moosehead area for our children, for their children, and for all those who seek to enjoy the unspoiled Maine outdoors.” Maryann B. Guernsey, Warren, ME
“I love camping at Lily Bay. The water is still clear, the stars shine bright, the peace and quiet is remarkable with the lack of jet skis and lots of large motor boats. The shore is not marred with mansions and the average person in Maine can readily access the wonders of nature…When I am floating around in Lily Bay on a gorgeous summer day, I am the richest man in the world and it not cost me a fortune. When you go seeking treasure, be careful how you measure.” Kevin Geery, Acton, MA
“I believe developing the Lily Bay area is inappropriate for many reasons. First, it would result in the dislocation of many native species. I am particularly concerned about Brook Trout habitat. This fish has been named the state’s heritage fish. Putting a resort and golf course in this area will lead to increased degradation of the local streams, brooks and rivers. Not the direction we should be going for a fish under stress. Movement of many other animals would be compromised.” John D. Gibson III, Norridgewock, ME
“When our children were young, we took them camping at Lily Bay. It was a magical experience for all of us. We rented a canoe and explored what was almost a wilderness area and we hiked and enjoyed wonderful views of the lake…please protect this special area so that our grandchildren can enjoy it too.” Betsey Grobe, Brunswick, ME
“In my view it would be a terrible mistake to overdevelop the relatively pristine and irreplaceable territory extending from the east shore of Moosehead Lake to Baxter State Park – including the targeted Lily Bay area.” A. Ross Hill, Brooklyn, New York
“Placing a resort in Lily Bay would be a very unfortunate sacrifice of a high – value natural area.” Karen Herold, Cumberland, ME
“Please do not rezone the 408,000 acres asked for by Plum Creek Real Estate. Developing this area would mean the destruction of Lily Bay, Indian Pond, and Lily Bay Mountain. It would be ruined by a residential area, resorts, golf courses, commercial development, roads, and more.”Merrilee Hansen, Appleton, ME
“It…seems to me that any of these house lots or other accommodations will be out of the financial reach of us typical Mainers. It’s appalling to me to think of multi-story hotels, motels, or condominiums in choice sites around the lake. Camping at Lily Bay has been a serene experience in the past. With the proposed development, it will be anything but that.” Betty E. Hartley, Topsham, ME
“We love the beauty and serenity of the lakes and wooded areas. We paddle our kayaks into the many coves at Lily Bay and enjoy the peace and quiet and the wildlife.” Kathryn Harper, Salem, MA
“My property borders Lily Bay State Park so I am very familiar with this area and spend as much time as possible kayaking, hiking, walking and exploring this amazing terrain. The wildlife is abundant, the serenity is so relaxing and the night sky is spectacular. All this will change with Plum Creek’s resort. I believe this development will ruin the “wilderness” experience that so many enjoy, both Maine residents and visitors. I have had State Park visitors wander onto my property because they were so enchanted with the forest and animals they saw, they just kept exploring. I’m always happy to meet them, hear about their wonderful adventure and point them back in the direction of the park. In addition to ruining the wilderness, tranquility, night vision, vistas courses are one of the most notorious polluters (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers) and squanderers of resources. All of this on the shore of Moosehead Lake! A frightening and depressing thought. I believe this resort will have an undue adverse impact on existing uses and resources which would violate the statutory criteria established by the LURC.” Maryann Herbert, Beaver Cove, ME
“My family loves the lake, hiking on local trails around the lake, visiting Lily Bay, and looking for moose. We have two young children (Henry who is 5 and Emma who is 1), and really want them to be able to continue to enjoy the beauty of this area.” Ann Hartman, Bradford, ME
“After spending a beautiful day at Lily Bay State Park and on Moosehead Lake where nature, peace and quiet are at its best, I am all the more convinced that there should not be a Plum Creek development near the lake. It would eliminate much of Maine’s wildlife habitat which we value greatly.” Keith Hodsdon, Chariback, NH
“I have enclosed a picture of myself kayaking on Moosehead Lake at Lily Bay. This development as set by Plum Creek is beyond heartbreaking. This scene and what I have experienced, the sound of loons, site of an eagle and animal, is to me and my family a natural treasure. How can you think of allowing this landscape to be altered in any way?…For the last nine years Maine, to me, has been Moosehead Lake.” Dianne Jablonski, Seaside Heights, NJ
“I am writing because I am deeply concerned about Plum Creek’s plan to develop “my” beloved Moosehead area (I hike there every fall and have camped at Lily Bay a number of weekends). I have gone up there from Waterville (where I lived for thirty years) because even central Maine does not have such large accessible “wild areas” left.” Molly Jennings, Windsor, ME
“I’ve spent my ‘hard earned’ vacation in Maine, at Lily Bay State Park, for nearly twenty years……I leave noise pollution, air pollution, gas stoves, microwaves, traffic, everyday job stress, television radio and plumbing to spend two weeks at Lily Bay State Park…I notice the quiet, feel the rain, watch the stars, and paddle the coves. I’m making myself whole again. If the young and restless haven’t reached this point in their lives, be assured it’s coming- a time when you try to make yourself whole again. The essence of all this is having a place to do it. I hope that you and your great, great grand children can live, feel, and see the wonderland of Lily Bay. When money talks we should listen very carefully, because it may means that it’s actually taking away something that all the money in the world cannot replace.” Frank Kulik, Salem, MA
“In the specific case of Lily Bay, I would argue that LURC’s current forestry zoning on the land where Plum Creek proposes a resort, hundreds of residences, and associated roads, clearing, and infrastructure contributes a huge and irreplaceable benefit to the bay and particularly to Lily Bay State Park. Here, any Mainer, visitor, or citizen can enjoy a low-cost, low-impact vacation in a gorgeous lakeside setting, looking across to undeveloped wildlands which, in fact and in one’s imagination, stretches largely unbroken for hundreds of miles north to the Canadian border. The transformation of that vista via electric lights, motor boats, noise, and traffic is breathtaking, and would be a tragic diminishment of public values for private gain. Please don’t permit zoning changes on Lily Bay.” Jon Luoma, Alna, ME
“In my view, they shouldn’t even be proposing any development on the east side of the lake. The Lily Bay development is a direct threat to the Canada lynx population there. It’s totally inappropriate.” Jim Lougee, Parsonsfield, ME
“My husband and I and our three daughters have camped at the Lily Bay campground several times. My fondest memory out of all our trips would have to be the first, when we were all at the water’s edge one night just stargazing and my oldest child, then six years old, describes the sky which was full of shooting stars and so bright as ‘better than TV.’ If Plum Creek is allowed to develop the area around Moosehead, experiences like that with our children will never be possible again.” Wendy Lampro, Otis, MA
“Moosehead Lake has been an important part of my life from the time when I was six years old. For me that is the majority of my life, or 46 years. My family has owned a camp on Matthew’s Cove in Lily Bay for all those years. I have seen the changes that have taken place in the Great North Woods during that time…Now we have Plum Creek on the scene with their massive development that will change the environment of Moosehead forever…. I want Moosehead’s pristine tranquility preserved for my children and grandchildren. Let’s think before we approve this monstrosity.” Louise J. Lavigne, Bath, ME
“I have been a visitor of the Lily Bay and Roach Pond area since 1973 when I came to Maine as a transplant from Massachusetts. We wanted to raise our children in an environment where we could learn to grow a garden and raise animals and feed ourselves…My family spent our leisure time fishing in the Moosehead area and loving every minute; always in awe of the wildlife and habitat around us.” Joice A. Liand, South Portland, ME
“Lily Bay State Park has been a favorite destination of mine. Plum Creek’s proposed development threatens to alter the nature of the area to such an extent that I would consider that the current use of the land would be unavailable, and what would be left would be undesirable. Lily Bay State Park would no longer be a destination for me.”Deborah McCarthy, Bowdoin, ME
“Lily Bay cannot carry the load of the number of new residents there. It would be too much of an impact on the environment of the area….This is too big a disaster for the state of Maine to let this go through.” Marian F. McAleenan, Rockport, ME
“Plum Creek’s development will be for the wealthy. If the development were much smaller and not as spread out (Lily Bay should not be a ‘resort’), perhaps it would be acceptable. As it is proposed, it would be harmful to wildlife as well as human life.” Caren A. Minzy, East Boothbay, ME
“In the fall I go up to Greenville and enjoy the peace, beauty, local community and wildlife there, especially at Lily Bay. Plum Creek will ruin the North Woods, period….Where will Mainers go to camp, fish and hunt and responsibly harvest timber?” Christina McHenry, Blue Hill, ME
“This summer my wife and I returned to the Moosehead Lake area for a week of camping, hiking Gulf Hagas, and kayaking on Lily Bay and Wilson Pond. I was amazed at how unchanged the area is after more than 53 years since my last visit to the region. The Plum Creek proposal would cause a 777 acre resort including 250 housing units to be built on Lily Bay, destroying forever the unspoiled beauty and pristine environment of the area.” C.E. McGinley, Sanford, ME
“Such as large development will have a tremendous adverse impact on the natural beauty, wildness and peace of the area, particularly at Lily Bay. The planned resort there in inappropriate due to that area’s pristine character.” Jo Anne Meyer, Machiasport, ME
“I have fond memories of the Lily Bay section of the lake. When I was a teen and going to Skowhegan High School my folk and I had a one room camp on the shore of the lake. I would make a raft out of dri-ki logs, paddle it out into the bay and catch trout….I can’t imagine what 250 accommodation units would do to the character and charm of this beautiful bay. Yes I can- it would destroy a beautiful heritage that could be left to our kids and their children! Please oppose this plan!!!” John Mahoney, Wayne, ME
“I am concerned that the developers are still intent on developing the sensitive areas of Lily Bay (a real gem!) and most of all I am concerned about the massiveness of the project and loss of habitat for the lynx, birds, and other wildlife. I am saddened that the quietness of nature will never be felt there again.” Diana McCain, Yarmouth, ME
“We know the Lily Bay area especially well. I can not for the life of me understand how this massive development on the bay could satisfy Statutory Criteria and Commission Rules. The scale is completely unreasonable and will permanently destroy the environmental character of this pristine area.”- Steve Musica, Brunswick, ME
“I have a camp on McCulloch Island, near Lily Bay State Park, so I have often seen people come out of the Dunn boat basin in a canoe or kayak just to sit by Black Point for a while, taking in the spectacle of the lake. I don’t think people would do that, if there were houses all over the hillsides.” – George Miller, Waterville, ME
“My husband and I own a camp in the Lily Bay area and I am an environmental engineer with more that 19 years experience in the areas of water and wastewater treatment and municipal facilities planning…..I recognize that Plum Creek has proposed that additional details regarding sewage treatment and other aspects of the resorts be provided through the Master Planning “process”; however, these evaluations need to be done prior to approval by LURC of any concept plan regarding these areas, in particular the Lily Bay Resort area. Without this information (e.g., a traffic study demonstrating the impact of the construction and operation of the resort on Lily Bay Road, a description of the proposed method of providing utility systems, studies regarding estimated water demand and availability, study of the potential impacts on the water quality of Moosehead Lake by the Lily Bay Resort, a solid waste management plan), I do not believe that LURC can fairly evaluate the potential impacts of the resort areas to determine whether they balance the benefits of such.” Sheila M. McGroddy, P.E., Campbell Hall, NY
“Summer mornings camping on Lily Bay are among my fondest childhood memories. That place taught me to love and respect the natural world. It is terrifying to me that the wilderness around Moosehead Lake could be lost to a massive development project. It would forever alter the character of the region.” Sophie Newbury
“I’ve just moved to Maine, and I was fortunate enough to camp at Moosehead Lake (Lily Bay State Park) last week. I immediately sent photos out via “e” to my NE family and friends to show them the beauty of this spot called Maine! It would be a shame to destroy the natural wonder of this area.” Linda Nickos, Bath, ME
“This is to let you know that we are the owners of a primitive camp in Beaver Cove/Lily Bay.We want our family to continue to have the peace and beauty we have enjoyed there for the past 30 years. Development of an elitist, gated ‘RESORT’ in Lily Bay would ruin the lake, and chase away the endangered lynx, which we have personally seen there! Already the loon population has significantly declined! We don’t want big power boats, jet skis, heavy traffic, and rich people who could care less about the environment in our front yard! The lake and its surroundings need to remain free and open to the ordinary man to enjoy forever!” Steve and Meredith Perkins, Sangerville, ME
“Moosehead Lake, the area around it, and especially Lily Bay is an irreplaceable treasure to Maine and the visitors who come to our state. The massive development plan proposed by Plum Creek would forever change and damage the wilderness of this area. The plan is totally incompatible with what brings people to Maine and would endanger the habitats of the wildlife in the area. Please protect this state and national treasure by denying the Plum Creek proposal.” Anne Price, Orland, ME
“I hear that Plum Creek’s development would permanently damage valuable wildlife habitat (one example being that the Lily Bay brook trout fishery would never be the same). Our wildlife is priceless, and its habitat must be protected.” Leslie Pohl, Portland, ME
“Any additional residential lots around Lily Bay would be detrimental to the area. We have a wonderful state park there. To add single family housing units in the area would be extremely detrimental.” Ruth E. Reeve, Monson, ME
“I’ve been camping up at Lily Bay State Park every year for the past 24 years, ever since I moved to Maine. My two sons essentially grew up there. It is a wonderful place. We are often there for 10 days at the end of July, and I marvel that on a beautiful sunny weekend I can easily kayak to the middle of the lake with minimal boat traffic. Even with a full campground it is peaceful and restful. I can’t imagine how that will change with the Plum Creek proposals for the Lily Bay area. The east and north shores are the absolute wrong place for development. We need to protect what we have.” Ted Rooney, Brunswick, ME
“We have owned the northernmost cabin on the north side of Lily Bay for 16 years. Our camp is directly behind the ‘island’ in the little cove. We love our little camp and the whole vast magnificence of Moosehead Lake. For 16 years we have been boating, fishing, hunting, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowmachining, and walking all over the area of the proposed Lily Bay development with great enjoyment. We feel that the huge development that Plum Creek is planning right next to our camp is a travesty that will ruin the lake and its environs forever…We had hoped to retire there, but who wants to be next to a suburban-style development set down in what was once a remote and wild shoreline? Please stop this development in its tracks.” Robbin and Ellen Rancourt, Madison, NH
“Many years ago I spent my first week on Moosehead Lake and it was the best week of my life. I was stunned at the incredible beauty of the whole area around the lake. Lily Pond was an exceptional part of that experience. I had a loon swim right under the dock I was sitting on. It was amazing…Please keep this incredible area as unspoiled as it is now. We need places like this for our peace of mind, for all of the people of Maine to enjoy forever.” Patty Renaud, Farmingdale, ME
“Allowing further development around Lily Bay State Park, which I have stayed at and canoed from many times, would be a slap in the face to people living in Maine on a Maine income.” Jim Stockwell , Burnsville, NC
“Years ago, my family enjoyed camping at Lily Bay and paddling to Mt. Kineo. We especially appreciated the quiet and unspoiled nature of the area. My children were able to experience relative wilderness, a change from their life in town. They continue to love the out-of-doors. It is my wish that their children will be able to enjoy the area as well.” Jane Scease, Topsham, ME
“Moosehead Lake is Maine’s gem. Let’s keep it that way. Let’s preserve Moosehead for future generations: keep Lily Bay pristine, stave off the developers along Moosehead’s shores.”Merrylyn Sawyer, Wayne, ME
“The Lily Bay development encourages sprawl, and is not ‘within and proximate to existing communities’ as your current guidelines mandate. Lily Bay is at least at 25-30 minute drive in daylight and good weather. Resort guests are not going to want to go into town for dinner, or just pick up something from the store. They will bring their own or encourage development of these businesses scattered along the whole Lily Bay Road.” Alicia Soliman, Biddeford, ME
“I especially loved taking my children camping; we would go to Lily Bay and rent a cabin, see wildlife all over, canoe, no radios, cooking on open fires. My children will always remember the experience. Please do not allow it to be ruined…I hope and pray my grandchildren can go and enjoy this.” Donna Sherman, Augusta, ME
“I treasure the heart-stopping quiet and beauty of Lily Bay- the sheer wildness, the sense of an ancient place, the knowledge that generations have passed through the woods and water, leaving nothing but breath behind for those who follow. What has Plum Creek left in the wake of other parts of our country?” Mary Stuart, Canaan, ME
“Though I do not live in the region, my family loves to vacation at Lily Bay State Park and ride our boat around the lake. We also love to explore the area. We love the wildness, the animals, the raw beauty. The region is already developed beyond our liking. Further development, especially the scale of Plum Creek, would not only be a blight on the landscape, but would prevent future visits from us and countless others like us. Please put a halt to this project before it is too late.” Jeanne Schrumpf, Robbinston, ME
“Some of the locations of the developments would permanently damage the natural beauty of the areas like Lily Bay.” Marie Underwood, Searsport, ME
‘…Camping at East Lily Bay State Park will never be the same if you allow Plum Creek to rape this raw natural area for the sake of the almighty dollar.” George H. Weir, Solon, ME
“Our first family camping trip to Maine was at Lily Bay on Moosehead Lake. We are horrified at the ‘development” plan- even in its recent scaled-back form that Plum Creek is proposing. It is unethical to purchase land at bargain prices and then petition to change the zoning. The wilderness around Moosehead is a fragile and timeless treasure.” Joan and Bill Witkin, Chappaqua, NY
“My concerns about the intensity and scope of such destructive development include the potential devastation of wildlife populations and habitat wrought by construction of a huge resort at Lily Bay.” Barbara Whitkop, Skowhegan, ME
“I urge you to ask Plum Creek to scale back still more, especially Lily Bay and Moose Mountain. We should not lose our unique, gorgeous wild Moosehead area.” Sue Weissman, Brunswick, ME
“I have deep concerns about the proposed Plum Creek developments at Lily Bay and Moose Mountain Resort….allowing exceptions to established zoning standards will do irreparable harm to the area.” Carolyn Wronker, Portland, ME
“We have enjoyed camping at Lily Bay State Park as have many people we know. The area is uniquely unspoiled and a lovely part of Maine that deserves to be preserved, not developed.” Nancy Whiteside, Brunswick, ME
What People Said About Lily Bay at the Plum Creek Public Hearings
Greenville Public Hearing (12/1/07)
My name is Diane Guethlen. I live in Tomhegan Township. I would ask the commissioners to reject Plum Creek’s concept plan as it now stands. Developing in the remote areas like Lily Bay and the north shore of Long Pond will cause undue adverse impact on the remote recreational opportunities that are the heart and soul of the area. These special places are part of the reason people live and visit the area and drive the economic engine we all depend on…Building a 400-unit resort at Lily Bay will encroach on sensitive wildlife habitat and will have an undue adverse impact on a remote recreational area that is substantially wild and wooded. This intensive development is not compatible with the character of existing camps or primitive pursuits like camping in Lily Bay State Park and paddling the state-owned shoreline. And there is no demand or need for a new development center in this area.
Good morning. My name is Ken Cline. I live in Bar Harbor…I want to start really quickly with a story. This summer I camped out next to a lake in a state park, but I had a really hard time falling asleep. This has happened before when the sound of summer homes travels over the water and motors and cars disturb the silence, or people partying on boats late into the night. It will carry over the water. But this night I couldn’t fall asleep because I was listening to the wonderful chorus of loons from Lily Bay State Park. It was wild and it was only fifteen minutes from Greenville. I’m here today in part because of that experience…LURC has a long-standing policy to discourage growth which results in sprawling development patterns and encouraging growth proximate to existing developed areas. The development at Lily Bay, Long Pond, Indian Pond, Brassua Lake Peninsula, and Upper Wilson Pond blatantly violate this policy. Plum Creek can still obtain a reasonable return on its investment-backed expectations in the land it owns. It doesn’t need this rezoning to do that. It’s timberland and it can be profitable as timberland. Perhaps not as profitable as it would be as a golf course or second homes, but LURC’s job isn’t to ensure that Plum Creek make the most money be possible. To return to my analogy, I don’t have much money and I’m not going to leave my children much of anything financially. However, I do want to leave my children, and their children’s children the same opportunities, beauty, and ecological splendor that I have enjoyed in and around Moosehead Lake. Plum Creek’s proposal threatens that legacy.
Commissioner, my name is Darrell Buzzell, I’m a recreational guide, white-water guide. I own a place in Beaver Cove…The only concerns I have, and I will quickly go over them, is I’m real concerned about the resort in Lily Bay. Carol and I we have been up there. We’ve hiked all this area. And to look out — it was fitting that Mr. Lacasce was here who owns out on the point, because I urge you people to drive up that road and look out through that lower area. It’s going to change the characteristic of that particular area. We haven’t even talked about power lines, and I work for the utility. It seems a good fit to be where the other resort is because of the three-phase power and the main highway. I don’t think the infrastructure is quite right on this right side of the lake. You’ve got a real curvy road. You’ve got to beef up everything from the town of Greenville all the way out. So I’m real concerned with that.
Augusta Public Hearing (12/2/07)
My name is Lisa DeHart. I’m a registered Maine guide in wilderness white water canoeing. I have been a working guide for about ten years. If the Plum Creek plan is not seriously revised in regards to the east-west outlet — Indian Pond, Long Pond, Brassua Lake and Lily Bay — my future guiding will be devastated. I can better make a living and would much rather work as a river guide than as a waitress in a golf course or a Plum Creek resort. Plum Creek is promising basically two things, access and jobs. In my opinion, we have both already. I’m a river guide. There is access to the entire state of Maine you just can’t drive there. And as soon as we can, it’s going to look like frigging New Jersey.
Thank you for this privilege. I’m Maggie Shannon. I live in Belgrade. I too am a retired English teacher. I have come to Maine for 69 years; I’ve lived here for ten. I’m executive director of the Maine Congress of Lake Associations and I want to talk to you about lakes. Moosehead is brimming, overwhelmed with natural resources, but it’s the lakes, ponds, and streams that distinguish it. We love lakes; but lakes have very low tolerance for human activities…Plum Creek’s plan does not satisfy this requirement for a lot of reasons. Majorly, sprawl, a lack of detail, and special considerations that it asks under the conservation easements. Sprawl degrades water quality. Like its predecessors, this plan cites two large development centers many miles north of Greenville.
The EPA has said specifically Lily Bay and Long Pond sites may be candidates for reconsideration, since they are distant from development centers and will generate more vehicle miles, more vehicle miles traveled and potentially more water quality impacts.
Good afternoon. My name is George Manlove. There is going to be impact. The question I would raise about this proposal as designed now is whether it’s undo or not, and the significance of the changes that will happen to Moosehead Lake with that massive development, even if it does have false promises imposed by Plum Creek’s futures, and also, the easements. I think it will significantly change that area. We’ll be seeing a lot of those boats replaced by an increase in jet-skis, cigarette boats, and a lot of the floating things that kids play with. It’s coming. It will probably happen. But I see this as putting that — increasing it at warped speed. So I would respectfully encourage this panel to look at this plan again and consider everyone’s interests. And maybe move those beans from the map down from Lily Bay, down from the western sides of the lake into the 8000 acres that Plum Creek already owns in Greenville and try to do more in areas where it’s already developed, where it might further increase the Greenville economy, and also increase their tax base, and provide something for everybody.
Portland Public Hearing (12-15-2007)
My name is Judy Wentzell. I live here in Portland, Maine. I’m speaking as just a Maine citizen. I’m speaking in a neutral position because I don’t feel like I know enough about the whole Plum Creek concept in order to speak about the whole thing. But I can talk about what I’m familiar with, and that’s Lily Bay State Park. My husband and I camp there with our children in the summer as well as ski there in the winter. I want to point out that this state park is affordable for Maine families affordable and yet it gives us paddling access to quiet stretches of Moosehead Lake as well as being a great home base to visit more remote areas to the north. We’re fortunate to have that park in Maine. I’m very concerned that this great spot would be severely compromised if Plum Creek is permitted to develop areas around Lily Bay. It wouldn’t be very remote abutted by a resort with a golf course, marina, and residential area. This will change the traffic on the lake, as well as changing the traffic on the road to Lily Bay, which would inevitably become commercialized, bringing even more development closer to the park. LURC’s guiding principles stress diverse and abundant recreational opportunities especially for primitive pursuits, and Lily Bay State Park fits into that principle. There is an unspoken intent for that to be a quality experience. Already Lily Bay is very close to a developed area. So the line should be drawn now not to let development come any
closer. Although, many Mainers own a piece of Maine, including myself, the land doesn’t really belong to us. We’re caretakers for the future. Just as I go north to enjoy the wildness there, northern Mainers come to Portland for what it offers that is not available in the north. And we enjoy the benefits that come from living in each of these areas, and we both suffer the negative aspects that each area might present. But that’s what’s so great about Maine, the diversity that can be experienced here. If we give the gift of zoning for development around Lily Bay to Plum Creek — and it is a huge gift because Plum Creek didn’t have to pay — did pay for the land — didn’t have to pay for the land at development prices — we’ll be losing a lot. The experience at Lily Bay State Park will not be the same. I hope LURC stands by its guiding principles and for the rights of all Mainers and will choose not to allow development close to Lily Bay State Park.
“….First, Plum Creek proposes to establish a development zone in Lily Bay that would allow for a destination resort as we all know. This is a version of the north woods sprawl that Governor Baldacci has warned us to avoid. I wholeheartedly agree with him. I think — if we look at the criteria that you folks use on the Commission, I think there is sufficient reason for LURC to oppose the Lily Bay Resort on the grounds that it is in an inappropriate development location. It is inappropriate because it doesn’t meet LURC’s concept criteria for, quote, having as a primary purpose the protection of those resources in need of protection.
How so, you might ask? Well, the Lily Bay site, first, is a relatively unspoiled area close to conservation lands. Second, it contains a substantial amount of wetlands classified by a biologists 2007 report to you folks as, quote, either unsuitable for development, or, quote, largely unsuitable for development. Not the whole area is unsuitable, but large chunks of that proposed resort were classified as that by a geologist. Thirdly, it has been designated by the U.S. Department of Interior, the whole Lily Bay peninsula, as a habitat for an endangered species, the Canadian lynx. In addition, LURC’s criteria for, quote, striking a reasonable and publically beneficial balance between appropriate development and long-term conservation of lake resources is not met currently by the Lily Bay site because, quote — this is not a quote — because first, it creates a sprawling residential and business complex in a low-populated area too far from the town of Greenville.
Second, the proposed marina would cause overdevelopment of the limited shoreline that Plum Creek owns in Lily Bay. And I would ask you to take a close look at that. For all these reasons, I urge the Commission to deny the Lily Bay Resort as a component of the Plum Creek plan.”John Meiklejohn, Sugar Island, ME
“A resort hotel would ruin what Lily Bay is all about. It would be ridiculous and devastating to the people who travel for hours and find what they came for doesn’t exist anymore. The more crowded the world gets, the more people will flock to the most remote possible place to get away. Northern Maine will become more and more — will get more and more income in the future because it is so remote.” Barbara Field, Saco, ME
“The use of Moose Mountain with its planned Nordic ski center with its 800 accommodations along with the anchoring of another resort facility and some 250 accommodations at Lily Bay would be perilous to the preservation of the wholeness of this natural mosaic.” Jack Oser, Parsonsfield, ME
“Also, the proposed development of more than a 150 house lots and 250 resort accommodations, a marina and golf course on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake near Lily Bay State Park will destroy the natural beauty and unspoiled remote character of that area forever.” Claude McGinley, Sanford, ME
“The eastern shore of Moosehead Lake is the wildest and least developed shoreline in the lake that you have heard today, and particularly Lily Bay State Park. And the size and
scale of those proposed residential developments is incompatible with those pursuits and should be removed from the plan.” Mac Davis, Albany, ME
“My experience is really that of someone who for the past six years has camped with her son on Site 35 of Lily Bay State Park. It’s a site that’s at the edge of the park and looks down the bay towards the area that’s slated for development. The testimony that I can provide you really is simply of that experience and what it has meant for me and my family. As a single working mother, six years ago this was really the only vacation we could afford. And so we went. We’d never been there before. But we quickly found that camping at Moosehead in the state park was much more than a vacation. It was a place of respite and reflection. It was a place where we had learned to know each other and ourselves better amidst the natural beauty and the wilderness. There are many things that stand out in my family as memories that we hold — the bald eagle in the tree at the campsite, the fireflies, the loons, it goes on and on, the annual paddle around Sugar Island, climbing Moose Mountain and looking over across the lake at again the area that’s slated for development. These are treasures in my family. And probably the thing that stands out the very most for us is the fact that it is an area where at night it is dark. It is so dark that when I look up it still at this point takes my breath away, because I see stars beyond what I could even imagine exists, because there is not the light pollution that we experience here in Portland. Each year when we pack up our camping stuff and come back, it’s pictures of Lily Bay that keep it alive in our memories as the screen savers on our cell phones and our computers…..So in closing I would ask you to think carefully and to consider and protect to the best of your ability what I consider to be one of the last remaining treasures that is uniquely Maine, a lake and a place which I and my family hold dear. Thank you very much.” Laurie Davis, Portland, ME
Greenville Public Hearing (1-19-2008)
“Our reasons for denial: No. 1, the development of up to 2,250 second homes and condominiums will ruin the region’s character and put too much pressure on its valuable natural resources. Two, the development of an exclusive resort on Lily Bay will detract from the public’s enjoyment of Lily Bay State Park. Three, the addition of up to 17,000 cars a day on local roads will degrade the experience of all visitors and turn the area into just another Old Orchard Beach. Four, the conservation easements as currently written allow far too many uses that are incompatible with conservation values. Five, Plum Creek provides no assurance that local businesses that already exist will not be driven out of business by new businesses that come with their development. Six, no development is proposed in Greenville where it would make the most sense and add to the local population, work force, and schools. Thank you very much.” Matt Maiorana
“Creating a resort near Big Moose would be consistent with an already existing use in that part of the Moosehead Region. Lily Bay, on the other hand, is a sparsely-populated area whose current main attraction is Lily Bay State Park. Placing a luxury resort in this area
would not be consistent with the purpose and use of this area; and rather, would adversely affect it.” Sarah Meiklejohn
“My husband and I live in Sangerville, Maine, and have a camp in Mud Cove on the east side of Lily Bay. Although their territory in Maine was previously protected by federal laws, in November 2006 the Fish and Wildlife Service decided to exempt land in Maine from being designated as critical habitat for the lynx, including the land that Plum Creek had targeted for major development on the Lily Bay Peninsula; thus, extra safeguards that federal laws give to critical habitat areas no longer prevail in northern Maine. And guess what, Plum Creek had actively lobbied the Fish and Wildlife Service to change the designation just months before their timberlands in Maine were indeed exempted from designation as critical habitat. Could their lobbying for the exemption have had anything to do with the fact that they want to sell their timberlands to develop Lily Bay Peninsula with 400 dwellings, a golf course, and 777-acre exclusive resort? A 2007 study by Maine biologists found that the lynx population in Maine is already declining and Plum Creek’s development plan for Lily Bay Peninsula will be a drastic blow to their existence. I have enjoyed the Moosehead — the uniqueness of Moosehead Lake since childhood. I want to see all of it preserved for generations to come. It’s a treasure that we should not destroy. Alone I cannot protect it; but LURC, as my representative, can. Please take that responsibility by not allowing Plum Creek’s development plan to become a reality in
Lily Bay.” Meredith Perkins, Sangerville, ME
“Our location is almost directly opposite Plum Creek’s proposed Lily Bay Resort and is only a couple hundred yards off the same road that will carry the resort’s traffic. The camp is our place to calm ourselves The camp is our place to calm ourselves after hectic weeks of a developed world. We canoe and kayak around Mathews Cove to watch wildlife and to follow progress of our neighboring resident, the common loon. We keep an unofficial tally of the loon nesting areas and the number of chicks hatched each year as a barometer of the health of the lake’s environment. This past summer, 2007, we tracked three nesting pairs with a total of six chicks residing in Mathews Cove. Why do we care about the loons? The loons make Moosehead Lake a magical place. Their varied calls across the lake at night are a language of need, want, longing, and sometimes terror, but always beautiful and melodic. On quiet moonlit nights, coyotes on the ridges behind us speak their age-old appreciation of the moon to all who will listen. From the lake, having heard their plaintive cry, the loons will answer with a song that reaches into our primitive visceral center. On occasion, a conversation will spring up and go on for several minutes. The loons answering coyotes and coyotes speaking back to the loons, continuing a dialogue that was started long before man ever arrived at the lake. We believe that Moosehead Lake and its surroundings should remain as primitive and wild as possible. Plum Creek’s Lily Bay Resort will bring increases in traffic that will drown out any future conversation between coyote and loon. What else will it bring? Demands for more services such as fire and police. More asphalt-covered roads to increase run-off into the lake. Sewage problems that may require treatment facilities. More power boats, more jet-skis and more lake pollution. Who will be asked to pay for these services, changes to infrastructure and degradation of the environment? It won’t be just the property owners. It will be all the citizens of the state of Maine, including the loons. The loons will leave because loons are terrified of power boats and jet-skis that will invariably enter their nesting areas. They will look for someplace else to raise their chicks. And the magic of the lake will be diminished exponentially and forever. Plum Creek bought timberland and it should remain timberland. I understand that there is demand for economic development of this area; but I believe some areas of our beautiful state should not be developed. Moosehead lake is one of those places. Are you willing to trade the call of the loon for the ring of the cash register? Say no to Plum Creek.”Stephen Perkins, Sangerville, ME
“Plum Creek wants to build a nearly 800-acre Lily Bay resort with 400 units of accommodation less than five miles from the Roach. Again, the number of people using the river would increase and the quality of the fishing would seriously decline.” Larry Bastian, New Gloucester, ME
“The majority of the public will never be able to afford to buy one of the lots proposed in the plans; but they can afford to visit and camp in Lily Bay State Park, or toss a tent and a pack in a canoe and explore the remote areas of this region. We must protect these remote areas where future generations may also get the chance to see a lynx explore a frozen shoreline. I believe that the large resort at Lily Bay will negatively impact the experience of those who now camp at the state park….As an experienced educator, I know the value of offering students young and old the opportunity to experience the natural beauty and serenity of the north Maine woods and rivers. I’ve seen countless participants on wilderness trips have powerful educational experiences while traveling through these remote areas.” Dot Lamson, Wiscasset, ME
“Consider the ridge line that shadows Lily Bay that is now at risk, where I have swam and been invigorated by the undeveloped serenity of that place. Consider the mountain-top views that have left me and so many others breathless in rain or shine. Consider the years of traditional use and recreation. Motorized recreation may be trendy now, but something that has been around comparatively for so few years can hardly be considered tradition. Let’s not lose sight these areas’ roots, those of traditional guiding, canoeing, camping, skiing, hunting, hiking, fishing. My own experience is that wild places change people. They inspire people, and they spawn stewards of our environment. Although Moosehead is not designated wilderness, it is one of those places.” Jasmine Smith
“In addition to this significant adverse impact to the back country on the east side of the lake, I am particularly concerned about the potential adverse impact on Lily Bay State
Park and related public reserve land, one of Maine’s finest northern parks. Person after person at these public hearings has spoken about the nearly iconic Maine experiences for them and their families year after year at Lily Bay State Park — northern lake, relatively undeveloped, quiet, loons and other wildlife, dark star-lit skies and minimum of human intrusion. Lily Bay State Park may well be as much of a touchstone for the public of Maine for the high-quality northern experience as Baxter park is for its offerings. I think that the proposed development just across the bay from Lily Bay State Park will have a profoundly adverse impact on the public’s experience at this park, significantly degrading each of the qualities I listed above. Finally, much of the benefit from the proposed development on the east side of Moosehead Lake will go to a limited number of people. They will profit from real estate speculation and from short-term construction projects. These projects will be earned from the degraded remnants of the once healthy north woods ecosystem of Lily Bay Township and from the lost opportunity for the Maine public for a high-quality experience at Lily Bay State Park. These losses will affect all of us, visitors and residents alike.” Sid Quarrier, Appleton, ME
“Lily Bay has no development right now. A massive resort area and all those housing units just don’t fit with that. Units should be brought closer to existing areas that have an infrastructure to support them. There is no fire or police protection up there. Inland Fish and Wildlife already only has a 34-mile limit to where they can go per day in the car. That won’t even get them from Greenville to Kokadjo and back.” Joanna Ellis, Beaver Cove, ME
“My name is Dan McLaughlin. I’m a resident of Greenville and live, own, and operate a
tourism-based business on Lily Bay Road. Over the past ten years we have invested our life savings in purchasing and restoring a historical landmark property. We have invested heavily in marketing our business and the Moosehead Lake region to the traveling public. And we have invested ourselves in becoming active members of the community. When I first heard about the Plum Creek proposal or plan to have a proposal, I was quite excited. I thought good things could come of this. After my first viewing of their presentation, I walked away with a few questions. I was met with great resistance to have any questions on their plan whatsoever. The more we delved into it, we found more issues and problems, and I think over the last three years we have brought many of those forward. We feel that now the Plum Creek plan greatly threatens our investment, our business and our quality of life, all of the reasons that brought us here to this magnificent place. Because of our type of business, we are in a unique position to have hosted thousands of guests from around the country and world, and get to personally hear and see their excitement as they gaze over the scenic beauty of Moosehead Lake and its surrounding mountain wilderness. They comment on how wonderful it is that they have discovered such a place that has not been destroyed by overdevelopment. And this is what attracted them to visit Moosehead Lake. Even though they might do some hiking, kayaking or fishing in summer, or skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, or snowmobiling in winter, the Maine attraction to the area is the uncrowded peace and serenity, and the scenic vistas of this beautiful lake region. If it gets developed, this magnificent — magnificent — of this magnitude, it will lose what visitors come here to experience.
I’ve got a couple of real issues. I know so much has been discussed already; but if this plan goes forward, it is sited in the wrong places. Traffic…congestion in the town of Greenville. There was a DOT meeting last summer and loads of people — I’m not going to say hundreds — came out and spoke against the plan; and specifically, the development up at Lily Bay. There is no way to route traffic around Greenville to get up to the resort up at Lily Bay. The other thing is that is a corridor for moose sighting, scenic watching, et cetera. Anytime you can go up there, you’ll see cars on the side of the road taking photos, looking at the vistas, et cetera, all at the same time you’ve got logging trucks or wood chip trucks taking wood chips down to the steam plant. It’s a dangerous situation. Our roads are crumbling up there. It’s a tough situation, and it can’t be remedied. We first thought this plan would be good to develop Squaw Mountain. I’ve spoken with Tony Bartley at length and a bypass around Greenville up to the Squaw Mountain Resort would make sense. But this is all being ignored as we stand here today. A couple of real quick things, Plum Creek owns 9,000 acres in Greenville that is not being talked about. They are assessed at $2 per acre on their land. I own 15 acres; I’m assessed $9,000 per acre. If some development in Greenville would happen, it would help the tax base in Greenville. Also, this is the tip of the iceberg. Not only are there 9,000 acres, but they also own another 500,000 acres that has to be addressed. Too many problems with this plan. I think we need to readdress it.” Dan McLaughlin, Greenville, ME
