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Keeping a Way of Life; Trails and Wildlife for Future Generations

Public Forum at the Rangeley School, March 20th

The High Peaks Alliance will present its third public forum on the issue “Keeping a Way of Life: Trails and Wildlife for Future Generations” at the Carrabassett Valley Public Library on Wednesday April 3, 2013 at 7-8:30 PM.  The purpose of the forum series is to get local people involved in helping shape the future of the High Peaks region.

            At previous forums held in Phillips and Rangeley, the Alliance introduced the idea of a High Peaks National Wildlife Refuge as a new conservation opportunity that can protect future public access for planned trail systems, hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related activities.  In Carrabassett Valley, High Peaks Alliance will present a short slide show introducing the wildlife refuge proposal, Senator Tom Saviello will moderate a local panel focused on questions posed by the audience, and the forum will conclude with opportunity for audience comments. One topic of particular interest will be discussion of advance planning for the future of the four major regional trail systems serving snowmobilers, ATV riders, cross-country skiers, hikers and mountain bikers. The forum is co-sponsored locally by Maine’s High Peaks and the Flagstaff Area Business Association.

            High Peaks Alliance is a group of local hunters, snowmobilers, ATV riders, hikers, and guides, dedicated to protecting traditional public recreation access in Franklin County’s High Peaks region. Visit www.highpeaksalliance.org for more information about the Alliance and its activities, including the forum series and the People and Wildlife conservation opportunity.

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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY HIGH PEAKS ALLIANCE March 2, 2013

Keeping a Way of Life: Hunting, Fishing, and Trails for Future Generations

            The High Peaks Alliance will present its second public forum on the issue “Keeping a Way of Life: Hunting, Fishing, and Trails for Future Generations” at the Rangeley School in Rangeley on Wednesday March 20, 2013 at 7-8:30 PM.  The purpose of the forum series is to get local people involved in helping shape the future of the High Peaks region.

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High Peaks Alliance holds forum in Phillips to discuss local national wildlife refuge.

Valerie Tucker, Special to the Sun Journal

Franklin |

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 10:15 pm

PHILLIPS — The High Peaks Alliance launched its first of several discussion forums Wednesday evening to introduce the concept of a national wildlife refuge based in northwestern Franklin County.

The nonprofit organization’s mission has been the creation and retention of traditional-use access for hunters, hikers, guides, snowmobilers and ATV riders.

The evening gathering, sponsored by the Sandy River Business Association, shared some of the group’s successes in supporting landowner cooperation, access easements and conflict resolutions. When a landowner subdivides and sells a single-piece property with a single trail, future recreational users must get permission to access each property to continue to use that trail. Property owners have the right to refuse access, said forum organizer Chris Beach, but the Alliance has worked hard to bring those recreational users and landowners to the table.

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Advice on a High Peaks Wildlife Rufuge from Friends of Rachel Carson-President, Bill Durkin.

 

There are many reports and studies that have been published detailing the economic benefits of conserving lands. The direct positive impacts on the local, regional and state economy are plentiful: outdoor tourism, hotel occupancy levels, general stores, retail shopping venues, food establishments, the list is endless. There are also many indirect benefits that we may not think about in our day-to-day lives of what a national wildlife refuge in the region may accomplish. Take a hike along rugged mountain path, x-country ski over open fields, bird watch in a dense forest, canoe on a meandering stream, go hunt and fish in your favorite spot, or take an exhilarating ride on your snowmobile. All of these activities enhance our quality of life and Maine’s economy. Establishing a  National Wildlife Refuge in the Maine High Peaks region will protect wildlife habitat and it is a vehicle to acquire important lands for public use. Monies used to acquire parcels come from the Land, Water and Conservation Funds (LWCF), which uses revenues generated from offshore energy leases – not taxpayer dollars. LWCF has helped conserve some of Maine’s most special places, including Acadia National Park, Moosehorn NWR, Rachel Carson NWR, Coastal Islands NWR and the Appalachian Trail; these lands are permanently  protected. The process of creating a National Wildlife Refuge can be long and tedious but the final result will make you feel good; conserving habitat is well worth the price.

 

Bill Durkin

President

The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

Maine

 

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY HIGH PEAKS ALLIANCE February 8, 2013
Keeping a Way of Life: Hunting, Fishing, and Trails for Future Generations

The High Peaks Alliance is organizing a Public Forum Series on the issue “Keeping a Way of Life: Hunting, Fishing, and Trails for Future Generations in High Peaks area.”

The general public is welcome to attend one or more of the forums. The first forum will be sponsored by the Sandy River Business Association, and held at the Phillips Community Center on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7-8:30 PM. Three more forums will be scheduled in March and April, in Rangeley, Kingfield-CV-Eustis, and Farmington. Each forum will include a moderator, a slide show presentation, a panel, and an opportunity for questions and answers. The organizers will collect written comments, and use the comments to focus the subsequent forum so that every perspective is discussed. Light refreshments will be provided, and thoughtful discussion from all perspectives will be encouraged.

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