Noted University of Southern Maine economist Charles Colgan has just completed an analysis of the proposed Plum Creek development project in the Moosehead Lake region.

You know the details pretty well by now: 1,500 housing lots, several resorts, campgrounds, yada yada... on 2% of Plum Creek's land holdings of some 450,000 acres. 98% of their lands will remain undeveloped and in timber production for at least 30 years. Hiking trails and snowmobile trails will be constructed and the land will remain available for recreational use by the public.

Colgan's conclusion: A positive economic impact on the region.

The be all and end all word on the deal?

No.

A fair assessment by Colgan, a well-respected and highly experienced Maine economist?

I think so.

As expected, the RESTORE folks say that the economic benefits of the project as outlined in the analysis are "purely speculative" because they are merely paper descriptions of what might be.

Uh, hello.

Aren't the economic benefits of your proposed national park up there that you've been touting rather speculative also? Isn't that just a paper plan too?

You guys crack me up.

Give me a break.

By the way, the public (that's us) has four opportunities coming up to give input into the project to the LURC folks, the people that will ultimately give the thumbs up or down on the Plum Creek proposal:

8/16/05 Greenville
8/18/05 Rockwood
8/22/05 Jackman area
8/24/05 Augusta area

Get all the details from LURC.

And don't pass up your chance to put your two cents in.