MAINE PUBLIC • December 14, 2022
The Land Use Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved rezoning six areas of the Moosehead region that encompass 1,036 acres, or 6.1% of the roughly 17,000 acres initially envisioned for development under the Plum Creek concept plan, which was abandoned two years ago. Commission staff say they tried to focus potential development near existing hubs that have public safety resources and infrastructure, such as Greenville and Rockwood. "The new zoning and adjacency rule changes will better protect what makes the Moosehead region special," said Melanie Sturm, forests and wildlife director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. But NRCM is disappointed the plan didn't include any specific protection zones for critical wildlife or rare species that inhabit the area.