GRAND LAKE STREAM, Maine:  The Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) and partners today announced a 22,000-acre conservation and economic development project designed to protect the economy of the Grand Lake Stream community in central Washington County.  The project sets the stage for creating the West Grand Lake Community Forest within a 1.4 million acre international landscape of conserved land.  As part of the project, the town will immediately acquire 182 acres to support future development priorities.  The West Grand Lake Forest surrounds the village of Grand Lake Stream and includes 17 miles of undeveloped shoreline on West Grand, Lower Oxbrook, and Big Lakes.  The forest has over 3,000 acres of wetlands and deer wintering areas and other wildlife habitats.  The lands will continue to be a source of sustainable forest products and public recreation. 

DLLT signed an option agreement with the owner of the 22,000 acres, The Lyme Forest Fund managed by The Lyme Timber Company (Lyme).  The option provides DLLT the right to purchase two working forest conservation easements at fair market value on 21,700 acres, to be held by the State of Maine.  Once funds are raised, the easements will forever protect the shorelines and forests from development and secure public access while allowing sustainable forest management.  After the easements are acquired, DLLT will purchase the land and manage it as the West Grand Lake Community Forest for wildlife habitat, a sustainable timber supply, and public recreation.

DLLT is leading a $24 million capital campaign to fund the conservation easement and land purchase and associated expenses. 

See the complete April 8, 2009 Press Release Here

Governor John Baldacci, Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree, Passamaquoddy Tribal Governor William Nicholas, The Nature Conservancy Chairman and Baskahegan Company CEO Roger Milliken, Jr., and Seven Islands Land Company Retired President John Cashwell serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the West Grand Lake Community Forest Project Committee.