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Project's opponents launchSave Moosehead Campaign GREENVILLE - With nearly 1,000 lots to be carved out of 426,000 acres, Plum Creek's contentious proposal for a combination of development and conservation near Moosehead Lake is unlike anything the state has seen before. As the state agency responsible for approving or denying the project prepares for an unusual spate of hearings in August on the proposal, two prominent Green Party members scheduled a press conference for this morning to announce creation of an opposition group called the "Save Moosehead Campaign." The group, led by former Green Party gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Carter, state Rep. John Eder, G-Portland, and RESTORE: The North Woods spokesman Jym St. Pierre, aims to stop the project at all costs - even to the point of considering lawsuits or a citizen referendum, according to a statement released Monday announcing this morning's event. Calling the plan "wilderness sprawl," the statement decried the very concept of the Plum Creek development and called for consideration of a North Woods National Park instead. Carter declined to provide additional information Monday before Tuesday's 10:45 a.m. press conference in Portland. Greenville area community leaders, who oppose a national park, have supported the Plum Creek proposal, arguing that it offers the best chance for economic development in the region. In the coming months, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, which is responsible for zoning and building permits in the state's unorganized territories, must decide whether to approve the Plum Creek plan. In response to the increasing controversy, members of LURC last week took the unusual step of scheduling a series of informal public "scoping sessions" across the state next month. The expanse of the project is "unprecedented," so LURC decided to pursue the additional public meetings, before beginning the formal public hearing and consideration process, according to a commission statement. A LURC spokeswoman was unavailable Monday. Jim Lehner, Plum Creek's regional manager for New England, said Monday he was unaware of the Save Moosehead Campaign. However, he said he is open to hearing local people's suggestions during LURC's scoping sessions. The company plans to be a passive participant, he said. "We'll listen, and if people have any questions, we'll be there," Lehner said. Public "scoping sessions" are as follows, with each beginning at 5:30 p.m.: |