This just might do it, folks.

There's breaking news that a win-win deal has been reached between Plum Creek, The Nature Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Forest Society of Maine.

After all the back and forth. The heated debates. And some nasty exchanges.

Doesn't that just make your day? It sure does mine.

Thanks to all parties for their hard work, their patient but diligent approach. You've done it!

Thank you.

Here's a few brief highlights of the revised Plum Creek plan, the "Conservation Framework" as it has been called, for the Moosehead Region lands:

* Permanent protection for ecologically significant lands
* Continued public access
* Maintenance of working forests
* A more responsible development plan

There's certainly more details to come, but the preliminaries looks good at this point.

Alan Hutchinson, Executive Director of the Forest Society of Maine, says it best in my view:

“This agreement embraces the traditions and values of Maine. Hunting, fishing, camping and other traditional recreational activities will be assured, valuable fish and wildlife habitats will be protected, and communities will benefit as these lands are sustainably managed for recreational activities and forest products.”

I think that's the end result that most reasonable people were looking for. And it appears we got it.

I am just plain tickled.

OK, I'm going outside now and jump up and down with joy. And maybe get some lunch, too.