PORTLAND (AP) – Maine’s Passamaquoddy Indians are divided over a proposal to build a $300 million liquefied natural gas terminal on their land in eastern Maine.

Some tribal members see the project as a potential economic boon to the area, while others are concerned about its long-term environmental effects.

Quoddy Bay LLC of Tulsa, Okla., a partnership of energy developers, this month announced a proposal to build a terminal on a 42-acre site on the Passamaquoddy reservation in Washington County.

Gov. John Baldacci said the plan could provide “a tremendous economic boost” to the area by creating good-paying jobs, while bringing clean energy to Maine. But not all Passamaquoddies are are on board.

Margaret Apt called the project “a monster” that threatens the natural resources of the site.

“We’re supposed to be here taking care of the land and protecting it,” said Apt. “I don’t see how in any form we would be protecting the land if we allowed it to come in here.”

But tribal member Gene Francis said he’s “all for it” because of the millions of dollars and other economic benefits the project would bring to the reservation at Pleasant Point.

“We’re going nowhere right now and we need jobs,” he said. “I have to look out for the future of the young ones.”

Eighty-seven-year-old tribal elder David Francis is still undecided on the project, saying he has a lot of questions. Francis, who has 10 children and 25 grandchildren, wants to learn about the project’s long-term impacts.

“I have to think about this. I can’t commit right now,” he said.

Quoddy Bay representatives and state officials held an informational meeting, open to tribal members only, last week. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would have to approve the terminal and determine the pipeline route.

AP-ES-06-27-04 1859EDT