Conservation groups pursue massive Western Maine land deal

A quartet of environmental organizations plan to permanently conserve 78,000 acres in the Magalloway region of western Maine. Organizers have secured an option agreement from landowner Bayroot LLC to preserve the land. Under the plan, Bayroot, would keep more than 62,000 acres but an easement on the land would prohibit development. Yale University is a majority owner of the land company and the property is logged by Wagner Forest Management. Another 11,000 acres near the headwaters of the Magalloway River would be acquired by the Northeast Wilderness Trust to create a new wilderness preserve. Meanwhile the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust would own another 4,000 acres conserved for wildlife habitat and recreation including corridors along the Magalloway and Little Magalloway rivers. The groups, including The Nature Conservancy and Forest Society of Maine aim to raise $62 million for the land deal.