In February, 2015 the High Peaks Alliance was excited to receive Senator Susan Collins and a representative of Senator Angus King as guests at their celebration of the completion of the Orbeton Parcel easement. The easement guarantees public access to 5,800 acres of privately owned forest for recreational activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, ATV riding, and more. This area includes a section of High Peak’s own Fly Rod Crosby Trail, ITS 89/84, the Moose Loop ATV system, and abuts a six-mile section of the Appalachian Trail.

This February, we continue to receive good news from Maine’s elected representatives to the U.S. Congress. On Friday, February 12th, 2016  Senators Collins and King announced $4.6 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the support of conservation efforts in Maine’s western mountains. The project will be managed by the Trust for Public Land and several partner organizations.

In a letter last November, the Senators were joined by Representative Bruce Poliquin in requesting the support of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Their letter detailed how the Trust for Public Land seeks to tie conservation efforts to incentives for private landowners.

We would like to take a moment to recognize Maine’s elected representatives for their support.

Thanks to Senator Susan Collins for her support of conservation in western Maine.

Thanks to Senator Angus King for his support of conservation in western Maine.

Thanks to Congressman Bruce Poliquin for his support of conservation in western Maine.

Senator Susan Collins in Phillips, Maine. February, 2015. (Photo by HPA Vice President Lloyd Griscom)