[at-l] Re: Modern Devices, etc.

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C.)]

>"...Rather like the AMC defining "preservation" as allowing snowmobiles,
>bear-baiting, commercial big game hunts, liquidation logging, and the
>construction of resort-style accommodations on land it is "preserving." Rather
>like the AMC announcing a "ten thousand acre no-cut preserve" on the land it
>just bought - but not telling you the land has already been stripped of every
>harvestable tree. They all define terms in a manner that works for them. Baxter
>Park certainly has expressed more concern for wilderness than the AMC Resort
>Corp or Gov. Baldacci and the other lumber puppets in Augusta. Perhaps that's
>what confused you about the cell phone ban, Weary."

It's one one of the more fascinating hiking phenomenons -- this compulsion to
distort and damage the organizations that attempt to do good things for the
trails and wild places hikers and hiker hanger ons  purport to love.

Yes. AMC is working with local snowmobile clubs to restrict, but not to prohibit
the machines on AMC lands. These aren't controlled lands. There is no practical
way to keep snowmobiles out. The only hope is to work with the snowmobile clubs
and gain their cooperation.

Yes. Hunting will continue, as it should. Bear baiting is still under
discussion. My guess is it will eventually be banned. AMC wisely is trying to
fit harmoniously into the Maine communities that are their new neighbors.
Snowmobiling, hunting, guiding, and related activities support dozens of local
businesses. AMC can't and shouldn't act in a vacuum, ignoring the world around
it.

 Yes. The Maine woods have been clearcut and over cut for three decades now.
That's why the paper industry is leaving. It has run out of cheap raw materials.
It's why the land is on the market. TJ. Are you suggesting that because the land
has been degraded, conservation organizations should leave it for the
developers. Had that advice been followed by Percival Baxter, Baxter Park
wouldn't exist. Almost every acre that the good governor purchased had already
been clearcut or was purchased subject to a final cutting operation.

 Luckily Maine has an ideal climate for growing wood. The trees returned. As
 will the trees on AMC's 37,000 acres, despite TJ's snipings.

 TJ. You are decades behind the times. There used to be "lumber puppets" in
 Augusta. They prevented the legislation that would have preserved the forests
 and the jobs they provided. That's all gone. There's no longer significant
 lumber trees to be harvested.

 A few people at AMC have stuck their necks outs to encourage this bold new
 experiment in major land ownership. I try to encourage them to take even more
 risks, to buy more lands. I can't think of anything more destructive than this
 continuing chorus of opposition by alleged hikers and trail supporters.

 We have a narrow window of opportunity to keep the "100-mile-wilderness" wild.
 It's time to put aside this AMC hatred. AMC is to the Maine woods, what
 Democracy is to other forms of government. It's flawed, but way ahead of second
 place.

 Weary