FARMINGTON – A judge asked questions Friday of lawyers representing parties appealing the Land Use Regulation Commission’s approval of a Poland Spring Water Co. pumping station in Dallas Plantation.

LURC approved the application from Poland Spring, a subsidiary of Nestle Waters North America Inc., on March 13, 2006.

Under the permit, the company is allowed to extract 184 million gallons of water annually and have up to 100 tanker truck trips per day hauling the water.

Rangeley Crossroads Coalition, Rangeley Alliance, which consists of several groups including the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and individuals filed the appeal.

Sarah McDaniel, attorney for the petitioners, argued that Poland Spring’s use of the land is an industrial and commercial use not allowed in the management district where it is located.

Another concern of petitioners is the increased truck traffic the pumping station draws to the area, which is known for its tourism and recreation.

Poland Spring owns 999 acres and is using 1 acre of its holdings for the pumping station, which includes a hole in the ground and a couple of buildings, said Catherine Connors, Poland Spring’s attorney.

Connors said LURC correctly approved the project and noted that it fits as a small-scale operation allowed in the management district.

Jeffrey Pidot, an attorney representing LURC with the Maine Office of the Attorney General, said the commission did not abuse its discretion when it permitted the project and made a decision that followed permitted district uses.

After debating the definitions of mineral extraction, extraction of natural resources, which district the project belonged in and a traffic plan, Franklin County Superior Court Justice Joseph Jabar said he’d take the case under advisement and issue a response later.