Native Forest Network Responds to Plum Creek's Announcement

**For Immediate Release**

Group Not Satisfied with Plum Creek's Promise, Demand Preservation of Unique Forest

Contact: Logan Perkins: (207) 615-5158 or Emily Posner (207) 930-5232

July 28, 2008

While the Native Forest Network (NFN) is encouraged by recent developments regarding Plum Creek's harvest plans of the Big Wilson late successional forest in Elliotsville, Maine many concerns remain about the future of this particular forest and Plum Creek's role in the region in general. Following ecological assessments by Manomet and the Maine Department of Conservation's Natural Area's Program, the Seattle based corporation has decided to postpone its plans to harvest the unique 220 acre parcel near the Appalachian Trail. Native Forest Network supports the findings by these institutions and hopes to collaborate on future efforts to gather data in the region.

While this step by Plum Creek is essential to preserve the small remaining amount of Maine's late successional forests, Native Forest Network will continue advocating for full protection of the Big Wilson Forest and the North Woods until a comprehensive plan for preservation for the region has been developed. NFN calls for the following actions by Plum Creek:

• Immediately halt all timber harvest plans for the entire 1200 acre parcel that the 220 acre late succesional forest is a part of in order to fully assess which lands would act best as a buffer for the Big Wilson Forest.
• Commit to creating a contiguous, healthy ecosystem that supports the longevity of the Big Wilson Forest
• Immediately stop all further infrastructure construction in the area, including any temporary or permanent bridges over Big Wilson Stream
• Immediately identify and publicly share the location of all additional holdings of late succesional forests.
• Commit to a public and transparent negotiation process in regards to the Big Wilson Forest.

Only a few short weeks ago Plum Creek was fully prepared to devastate this unique and diverse late succesional forest. If it had not been for the efforts of many concerned local residents of the region and Native Forest Network, the public would not have been aware of this special place slated for destruction. Meg Gilmartin of NFN states, “recent actions around the Big Wilson Forest—a part of the Legacy Easement and Plum Creek's development proposal for Moosehead Lake—perfectly exemplify Plum Creek's disregard of its impact on the region's culture and environment.” Gilmartin goes on to say, “While its hopeful that Plum Creek is in talks with potential conservation buyers, there are still no guarantees about the preservation of this or other late-successional forests. Native Forest Network will not rest until Plum Creek has guaranteed the survival of this precious gem of forest.”

The Native Forest Network is an all-volunteer group of Maine citizens working toward the protection of all remaining native forests as sources of biodiversity, climate stability and cultural heritage. NFN will be hosting the fifth in their series of public hikes in the late successional forest on August 10^th from 11 am to 4 pm. The public is welcome to attend. Participants should meet at the Monson General Store on Rt.6/15 in Monson at 11 am and be prepared for steep, rough terrain, and crossing a large stream on foot.