By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – A proposal to allow a groomed cross-country ski trail in the Bigelow Preserve drew debate Monday in a packed State House hearing room.

The amendment to the Bigelow Act, sponsored by Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, specifies the use of a vehicle to groom a cross-country ski trail that is proposed to run about a half-mile through the southern corner of the preserve. The trail is integral to a plan for a hut-to-hut ski trail stretching from Moosehead Lake to Newry.

The 180-mile trail is the brainchild of Larry Warren, founder of the Western Mountains Foundation.

Testifying for the amendment before the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee were foundation board members Bob Peixotto, chief operating officer for L.L. Bean; Michael Saxl, former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives; and John Fitzgerald, general counsel for Bath Iron Works.

Sen. Peter Mills, R-Skowhegan, said he couldn’t think of a more appropriate use for the preserve consistent with voters’ decision in the 1970s.

He likened opponents’ views to plastic on grandma’s new couch.

“They’re not asking for a nickel,” he said of the foundation. “All they’re asking is for us to clarify the issue voters passed in the ’70s.”

“It’s hard to oppose this. It’s like motherhood and apple pie, but the devil is in the details,” said Richard Fecteau of Friends of the Bigelow Preserve. He said he was not opposed to a cross-country ski trail through the preserve, and had signed an agreement with Warren and the Department of Conservation to allow for it two years ago.

The preserve’s management plan is scheduled to begin a review at the end of the month. Professional staff from the department, not legislators, should handle the issue, he said. Changing the act before a review of the management plan will encumber the process, he added.

Opponents also felt the proposal would cause significant impact to the preserve, which was retained in its natural state for the use and enjoyment of the public.

Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan said his office is neither for nor against the proposal. However, the governor is extremely enthusiastic about the proposal and the economic benefits it could spark. He also announced a favorable vote last week by the Penobscot Nation lands committee, with whom the foundation has been negotiating for an easement to run the trail over land they own next to the preserve.

Tim Love of the Penobscot Nation spoke in favor of the proposal. He said they had come to an agreement that might be the key to Warren’s trail system. However, he announced they had suspended negotiations over concerns of endless litigation should environmentalists fight the trail through the preserve.

“If this isn’t Maine, I don’t know what is,” he said.

Rep. Joanne Twomey of Biddeford, a committee member, was concerned with the seemingly powerful board of the foundation.

“It scares me that they might be dictating our public policy,” she said of foundation board members. “This is not your average Mainer. Is this how we’re going to approach public policy?” she asked.