BETHEL – Mahoosuc Land Trust members said they are excited about last week’s vote by Land for Maine’s Future Program board approving money to conserve Frenchman’s Hole and 385 abutting acres.

“We’re thrilled!” said trust Director Marcel Polak. “It’s a very important piece of property. We’re delighted!”

Now, however, the board decision means the trust will have to rise to the challenge of raising their part of the deal: $42,000.

But they’re making it clear to donors that of the $42,000, only $35,000 will be channeled to the state for the land buy.

The $7,000 difference is needed to recoup what the trust has spent in helping the Maine Department of Conservation broker the deal, which has yet to be made public.

The difference will also enable trust members to solicit donations through direct mailings and hire a coordinator to facilitate the effort, Polak said.

“We have to recover direct or indirect costs. Otherwise, we would lose money to raise money. Every dollar that we raise for operating expenses comes from donors. That’s the nature of nonprofits,” Polak said.

Frenchman’s Hole is a very popular, picturesque waterfall and swimming hole carved in ledge on Bull Branch Brook in Riley Township. The site on the Sunday River tributary is located seven miles northwest of Sunday River Ski Resort.

The 385 acres also serves as a buffer zone for the Bureau of Parks and Land’s Mahoosuc Management Unit, currently public reserved lands. The unit contains a significant section of the Appalachian Trail and the Wright Trail, a popular hike along Goose Eye Brook.

Additionally, the Mahoosuc unit contains a designated state ecological reserve, which includes the most alpine habitat of 13 statewide ecological reserves, according to a trust press release.

The 385 acres will be owned and managed by the Bureau of Parks and Lands as part of the Mahoosuc unit.

Earlier this month, Tim Glidden, staff director for Land for Maine’s Future Program, said the sale price for Frenchman’s Hole and its accompanying 385 forested acres, had not yet been finalized.

But, Land for Maine’s Future would fund more than $200,000 of the purchase from owner Roy Newton of Gorham, N.H.

Of the purchase price, estimated to be between $300,000 and $400,000, Glidden said that Land for Maine’s Future would cover two-thirds of it while the Department of Conservation provides the rest.

The Mahoosuc Land Trust, which is working collaboratively with the Bureau for Public Lands, would then reimburse the state for $35,000.

To begin the fund-raising effort, the trust is seeking volunteers. For more information, phone the land trust office at 824-3806.

The trust board’s next meeting is Friday, Oct. 10, to begin assembling the fund-raising committee.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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