BREWER (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- A proposal to develop two million acres of Maine's north woods is on the agenda at a public hearing in Brewer on Wednesday.
The Land Use Planning Commission is looking to do away with the current "one-mile rule," wherein new development is built within a mile of existing development, and instead will allow development to stretch ten miles from rural sites and two miles from public roads.
If this policy change were to go into effect, nearly two million acres of land in Maine's forests would become available for development.
"Under the existing one mile rule of thumb, somebody might be interested in renting kayaks, or operating a mountain bike facility, but unless they're within one road mile of some existing comparable facility, they couldn't do that," says Land Use Planning Commission Director, Nick Livesay.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine argues against this policy change, claiming it would fragment forests and wildlife, expose a number of lakes and trails to commercial and residential development, detract from existing rural towns, raise the costs of public services, encourage development along scenic byways, and harm Maine's vibrant hunting land.
"It would change the face of the north woods from relatively undeveloped forestland to sprawl, scattered development," says Natural Resources Council of Maine Forest and Wildlife Project Director, Cathy Johnson.
"I would absolutely disagree that this is some sort of urbanization of the rural parts of Maine," counters Livesay.
"Most people don't understand that the north woods is threatened by this proposal," says Johnson. "Those who do know that something's happening may be overwhelmed by the complexity of the proposal."
Johnson is asking for the LUPC to give the public three things during this public comment period.
"Number one: know that this is happening," says Johnson. "Number two: understand what's happening. Number three: have an opportunity again to speak publicly to the commission."
Wednesday is the only public hearing being held on the topic, but public comment is open through September 24, 2018. Residents can write to the Land Use Planning Commission through that date.
According to Johnson, despite the LUPC giving time for public comment, the commission has the final say on passing and implementing this new proposal and does not need it to pass in Maine's legislature.