PORTLAND (AP) – Two environmental groups are teaming up to buy six Maine islands in an effort to preserve them for public use and seabird nesting colonies.

The Chewonki Foundation of Wiscasset and the Brunswick-based Maine Coast Heritage Trust are buying four islands in Penobscot Bay and two more in Muscongus Bay for a total $1.5 million from the Island Institute of Rockland.

The islands include Russ, Campbell, Crow and Two Bush in Penobscot Bay, and Hungry and Black islands in Muscongus Bay.

The Chewonki Foundation environmental education organization was motivated to pursue the deal because of the dwindling number of islands where public access is allowed, said Don Hudson, Chewonki’s president.

“In the early 1970s, we had permission to camp on 80 islands. Now that figure has been reduced to 30,” said Hudson. “If you look at that curve, securing access to these islands became a really important issue for us. This means we can lead sailing and kayaking trips to these islands…basically forever.”

The Island Institute bought the islands in the late 1980s and early 90s when it sought to preserve public access to islands.

The deal ensures that four of the islands – Hungry, Black, Russ and Campbell – can never be developed for housing.

In addition to Chewonki expeditions, the islands will be open to the public as part of the 325-mile long Maine Island Trail.

Chewonki Foundation will need to raise $800,000 to acquire the four islands. It has five years to pay off the debt, with its first payment due July 30, 2006.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust will pay $200,000 to acquire Crow and Two Bush islands, which will be preserved as seabird nesting sites. Public access on those islands will be restricted.

The trust also paid an additional $500,000 for conservation easements that prohibit development on Chewonki’s islands.

The Maine Island Trail Association, based in Portland, will manage several wilderness campsites on Hungry, Black, Russ and Campbell islands.

Dave Mention, trail director for the association, said access to coastal Maine islands is becoming increasingly restricted as new owners post no-trespassing signs.

“Much like hunting, where you used to be able to hunt anywhere, this is a significant change for the people of Maine,” Mention said.

Copy the Story Link