It's not a done deal quite yet, but if preservationists get their way--and I hope they do--pristine Katahdin Lake and its environs may one day become a part of Baxter State Park.

The Trust for Public Land is currently working out a combination land purchase and land swap that would bring the 6,000 acre Katahdin Lake parcel into the Baxter fold. It has until summer to hammer out the details and ink the deal.

It's an expensive project--$14 million to be exact. But the group has already raised $3 mil and seems confident it can raise the rest. And it's worth the price.

Pristine Katahdin Lake is a sweet place in its own right. This is no road access to it, and from its shores is that most grand and famous view of Mount Katahdin. The parcel also contains significant stands of old growth forest.

Gardner Land Company of Lincoln will receive some cash in the transaction, as well as an amount of timberland elsewhere in the area up to the total value of the deal.

Preservation of Katahdin Lake thankfully doesn't mean that the currently operating sporting camp on the lake will have to go, nor does it mean the banning of existing float plane or motorboat use. These traditional uses are being preserved as well, as they should be.

Nicely done folks. Kudos to all.

Seems like everybody wins in this case.

And that should put a smile on every Maine outdoors lover.