February 28, 2006
Outdoor extremists?
Who are they?
Hunters apparently.
According to John Glowa of South China anyway, who spoke at yesterday's hearing on the proposal to preserve Katahdin Lake and 6,000 surrounding acres as part of Baxter State Park. The plan as currently drafted will ban hunters as well as motorized recreational vehicles.
"Hunters, trappers and snowmobilers do not have a lock on Maine's outdoors and Maine's outdoor heritage. As one of the 90 percent of Mainers who don't hunt, I am tired of the outdoor extremists trying to impose their wills on the rest of us."
Well, I'm really not sure at this moment whether I'm going to pee my pants right here with laughter, or vomit my breakfast all over my laptop in disgust.
Maine's outdoor heritage just happens to include a tradition of access to lands for all types of recreational and sporting uses.
Not just the ones that you like.
Who's the real extremist here?
You guess.
And then there's Alfred Cooper, operator of Katahdin Lake Camps:
"I resent the fact that they're treating me like I'm inferior in some way because I like to hunt and trap. It's my heritage."
Cooper and others want lawmakers to ensure that the plan maintains traditional uses on the Katahdin Lake parcel.
Damn straight. Damn straight.
Further, as I understand it from a bicycling advocate friend, there'll be no mountain bikes allowed. And that would exclude differently-abled persons who use mountain bikes as their way of accessing and enjoying the backcountry.
That puts it right over the edge for me.
Let the deal fall apart. And maybe then folks will realize where they've gone wrong and come back to the table.
A preserved Katahdin Lake property will be a wonderful asset for the people of Maine, whether it is protected as part of Baxter State Park or as Maine Public Reserve Land, where many outdoor uses co-exist.
And it's this conservation part that really matters most of all, isn't it?
Isn't it??
So why not recognize the big picture?
Outdoor extremists. Jeez.
Carey,
According to one online comment in response to the article, a June 2006 deadline looms. If the deal which as has been brokered isn't reached, the current owner is ready to liquidate the lumber resources. Is that what you want?
Your call to let the deal fall through, a rather "extreme" position, doesn't appear to be one that provides the greatest benefit for the most people. It seems that we have this one great chance to preserve a pretty fantastic parcel.
Why not find a compromise and expand the park?
I find it amusing that some consider snowmobiling and ATVs "traditional use." If all sides can remain level headed and not resort to "extreme" language or positions like ATVs being traditional and find a way to make this happen, generations of people will benefit.
Middle Path
Posted by
Middle PathFebruary 28, 2006 11:48 AM
I was not aware that there was a landowner-imposed deadline of next June to get this deal done. All the more reason for opposing parties to work this thing out. If not as a part of BSP, then make it public reserve land (see http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/prl.html), where many uses can and do co-exist.
Posted by
CareyFebruary 28, 2006 12:03 PM
I HUNT-MT.BIKE. HIKE-KAYAK-AND ANYTHING ELSE OUT DOORS.
MR. GLOWA SHOULD FIND OUT WHAT THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE STATE OF MAINE IS BEFORE HE MAKES A DUMB STATEMENT LIKE 90% OF THE POPULATION DOES NOT HUNT. HOW MUCH OF THE POPULATION DOES THAT LEAVE THAT DOES HUNT!!!!!!!!
Posted by
dragonflyFebruary 28, 2006 01:31 PM
ATVs and snowmobiles are NOT traditional uses. I don't care one way or the other if hunting is allowed/banned but given the large (and I mean LARGE) amount of land currently available to hunters, I think it is reasonable to allow this land to be set aside for other uses.
Hunters in Maine have it pretty damn good as far as access goes (compared to some other states). Sometimes I feel they want too much though.
Posted by
February 28, 2006 02:10 PM
Look, we all know the beautiful Maine woodlands, lakes, coast are a huge attraction to those that have none. I'm a Maryland resident that hopes to retire in the VACTIONLAND that I fell in love with years ago. Sportsmen, Hunters (and the NRA) do more for wildlife conservation and related land preservation than most tree hugging organizations anyway!!!
Land-baron opposition UNITE!
Greetings from the (already Socialist) Old Line State.
Posted by
Bluenose84February 28, 2006 07:53 PM
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