Maine is blessed with large wilderness tracts of timber. Economic conditions and changing markets have brought about sad change in the long-standing ownership structure. Many large parcels have changed hands in recent years and there is no end in sight.

The trend signals a decline in domestic forest products industries, a huge loss of jobs and a worrisome change in Maine’s landscape. Tens of millions of acres could be put in play in coming years. 630,000 acres in the Rangeley Region and spilling over into New Hampshire are now up for grabs. The land borders several remote lakes and encompasses numerous ponds and streams.

MeadWestvaco, the land’s owner, is evaluating prospective buyers at this moment. They intend to complete the sale before year’s end. MeadWestvaco has enveloped the search for a buyer in a shroud of secrecy. We can only speculate who the buyer might be. Development around lakes and ponds, posting, restricted access and other radical changes could follow the sale. MeadWestvaco is all but halting harvests in anticipation of a new owner before year’s end, despite mills crying for pulp.

Everyone who enjoys the Maine woods must act now. MeadWestvaco needs to be encouraged to find a buyer that intends to maintain the property’s current use, supplying the domestic forest products industry, protecting jobs and limiting development.

Alan W. Johnson, co-chairman,

Aziscohos Lake Preservation Committee

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