AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine’s wilderness zoning board Tuesday began a public review of its staff’s proposed changes to the largest subdivision ever proposed for the state’s North Woods.

The Land Use Regulation Commission kicked off two days of deliberations that will set the stage for a decision on Plum Creek Timber Co.’s proposal to develop 975 house lots and two resorts in the Moosehead Lake region. The panel is scheduled to continue its work Wednesday.

The project has stirred strong feelings among supporters and opponents since being unveiled more than three years ago.

Backers say it would give a much-needed boost to the local economy, but critics say the plan is far too big and would destroy the character of the Moosehead region.

The LURC staff last week recommended that the project be scaled back, but it stopped short of calling for approval or rejection. The commission is expected to deliver its final decision this summer.

The commission was conducting an item-by-item review of the staff’s suggestions for the concept plan that would rezone about 20,000 acres and permanently protect more than 400,000 acres through easements and land transfers.

The deliberations are designed to enable the commission to consider whether to accept the staff changes, stick with the Plum Creek plan or introduce ideas of its own, said Catherine Carroll, LURC director.

Following the deliberations, the agency will set a two-week period in which to accept comment from intervenors. The commission will then present the staff with guidance on preparing a document for a decision on the project.

Fewer than 100 people, including Plum Creek officials and intervenors opposed to the development, attended the session.

Opponent Cathy Johnson, North Woods project director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, said most of those present displayed their feelings by wearing “Too Much Development, Save Moosehead” stickers on their shirts.

AP-ES-05-27-08 1905EDT