[at-l] Re: Modern Devices, etc, Now AMC

[rickboudrie at hotmail.com (rick boudrie)]

>Yes. AMC is working with local snowmobile clubs to restrict, but not to 
>prohibit
>the machines on AMC lands.

My understanding is that the AMC is also working with the State of Maine on 
this.  If I am not mistaken, the club with grant the state some measure of 
control over their property in exchange for money.  Big money.

To put it another way, the decision that the AMC makes now will insure that 
the land which We (yes, We)  bought will be "Forever Snowmobile and Forever 
Hunting".  I hope I am wrong, but Big Money often means Big Control.

What I can't figure out is why, given its limmitted resources, the State of 
Maine would take upwards of 1 Million dollars and use it to protect land 
which has already been protected by the AMC.  Wouldn't it be better for the 
citizens pof Maine to spend the money on areas that are threatened by 
development?  Oh wait, the sate will ask for something in return.

If the AMC wants to be a good neighbor, and has rejected following the 
example of Perciville Baxter (who according to some cared deeply for the 
citizens of Maine despite the protections he say put in place on the land he 
bought) thats still OK by me.

My concern is that in an effort to be a good neighbor, the club will 
subjugate its values in PERPETUITY to those of the commercial hunters, the 
non traditional hunters (ie, those hunting over bait), and the snowmobile 
lobby-- as represented by the State of Maine waving a million dollar check.

I'd prefer another approach.  I'd prefer that the AMC do what it thinks best 
for the land and the surrounding community.  Including the snowmobilers.  
That it listen, but retain fill control over its land.  Then, I would prefer 
that the AMC encourage the State of Maine to take thier million dollars on 
land that is under threat from development.

Rick B










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
>
>
>
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