FARMINGTON – Maine Land Use Regulation commissioners unanimously approved Western Mountains Foundation’s proposal Wednesday to build a lodging hut and accessory structures on the eastern shore of Flagstaff Lake in Carrying Place Township, LURC Director Catherine Carroll said Thursday.

Prior to the motion, commissioners also approved the organization’s request to withdraw a proposed hut at Grand Falls in Spring Lake township, she said.

Both Carrying Place and Spring Lake townships are in Somerset County.

Maine Huts & Trails, which is also Western Mountains Foundation, plans to seek a permit for the Grand Falls hut in the future, after the impact on wintering deer habitat is resolved.

The Flagstaff Lake hut is the second of 12 proposed along a 180-mile trail system from Moosehead Lake to Bethel to be built in the next five to seven years.

The first hut opened in February at Poplar Stream Falls in Carrabassett Valley.

The second is expected to be completed in time for fall foliage season.

“We are absolutely thrilled that outdoor recreationists of all ages and abilities will be able to experience a hut-to-hut adventure as soon as this fall with the opening of a second hut,” Bob Peixotto, chairman of Maine Huts & Trails Board of Directors said in a news statement. “The stunning backdrop of the Bigelow mountains across Flagstaff Lake will certainly inspire tomorrow’s environmental stewards and bring additional economic resources to this remote region of western Maine.”