Vacation Camp Guide
VACATION CAMP GUIDE
Maine State Park campground reservation methods
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Maine State Parks and Lands announced campground reservations for the season are open.
In the region are both Peaks Kenny State Park in Dover-Foxcroft and Lily Bay State Park outside of Greenville.
“Maine State Parks provide many year-round opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,” said Gov. Paul R. LePage.
Commissioner Walt Whitcomb highlighted the recent success and popularity of Maine State Park offerings and programs. “Despite a very wet spring last year, 2,512,627 people visited Maine State Parks in 2013, the fourth highest attendance since 1990,” said Whitcomb. “Our dedicated staff continue to offer new recreational and educational offerings for all age groups. Visitors to our state parks have fun and leave with memories that can last a lifetime.”
There will be no fee increase for sites at the state park campgrounds for this camping season. Fees, however, do vary from campground to campground, with the highest fees for non-residents who want sites with water and electric hookups.
Campers can make reservations at Maine state park campgrounds in four ways: online at http://www.CampWithMe.com (24-7); by calling in state at 800-332-1501 or (out-of-state) 207-624-9950 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on business days); mailing reservations to: Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, ATTN.: Reservations, 22 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333; or by dropping off completed reservation forms, which will be processed during business hours at the Augusta office.
For more information and complete registration details, please go to http://www.campwithme.com.
Moosehead Lake region fishing report
By Tim Obrey
Regional Fisheries Biologist
The big lake is finally free of ice after what seemed like a very long and cold winter. The official ice out date was May 10 this year which is actually not far from the long-term average. We had a very busy winter and are now ready to slide into the summer field season here at the Fisheries Division.
Many people ask us what we do in the winter and off-seasons. Of course, on the weekends in the winter we are collecting data from anglers on various lakes in the Moosehead Lake region, and during the week we are compiling and analyzing data from the previous year. Fisheries change with time and we do our best to stay on top of it. We are constantly researching, collecting and evaluating data, and reviewing management strategies on our waters. We are fortunate here because we have a long history of consistent data collection which helps us to analyze changes in trends and look for methods to protect our gamefish populations while improving the fishing.
As an example, we have been working with Brookfield, the company that operates the dam on behalf of Kennebec Water Power Company, to improve the water management on Moosehead Lake. A few years ago we conducted some pretty intensive evaluations of our lake trout population. We re-confirmed that our lake trout were still spawning at depths greater than 4.5 feet in the fall on rocky, wind-swept shoals.
However, the actual dates of spawning are about a week to two weeks later than much of the historical data suggests. Lake trout are spawning near the end of October instead of mid-October. Brookfield is currently required by license to have the lake drawn down by Oct. 10 each year to protect lake trout spawning. The idea is to have the lake at a low level while lake trout are spawning then the lake usually refills in the late fall, and as long as the lake level does not drop more than 4.5 feet below the spawning elevation, all the eggs will be safe until they hatch in early spring.
Prior to the licensing of the East Outlet Dam and before a gentlemen’s agreement between the IFW and the past dam owners, it was possible to fully open the gates on the dam in the fall creating as much as a 7-foot drawdown. This would have caused lake trout eggs to become dewatered in the winter. Therefore, the current license sets a minimum lake elevation for the winter and notes that the power company cannot draw the lake down any more than two feet below the spawning lake elevation that occurred on Oct. 10. However, this single date requirement has created the situation where the dam operators must dump large volumes of water in September and early October to achieve the water level goal on that day. This makes it tough to fish in the East Outlet at one of the best fishing times of the year. We are working with Brookfield to amend their license to enhance the fishing in the East Outlet while providing protection for our lake trout.
IFW has recommended changing the Oct. 10 deadline to a window of dates from Oct. 10 to Oct. 25 to more accurately reflect current conditions. IFW has also recommended increasing the allowable over-winter drawdown from two to three feet. This will protect the lake trout which are still spawning at depths in excess of 4.5 feet and allow the company to have a more gradual fall drawdown to reduce high flows in the East Outlet.
Camp owners will still have an opportunity to work on their docks in the fall as the lake drops in late October and November. It also provides additional storage in the spring which is very important to alleviate spring flooding downstream of Moosehead Lake along the Kennebec River. Brookfield has been a very responsible partner with IFW. It is clear they understand the recreational and economic importance of the sport fisheries for the communities around their projects and they have shown a commitment to improving the fishing and safety for all those that work and play within their project areas.
DDATT First Friday event to look at solar energy
With the increase in electricity rates from conventional sources affecting everyone today and probably continuing to do so into the immediate future, seeking alternative electricity generation may prove to be an advantage to the average homeowner. Solar electricity is clean and renewable and its use can eliminate or significantly reduce the amount of electricity bought from conventional utilities. The use of solar electricity also reduces the reliance on fossil fuels used to generate electricity, which in turn reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases.
DDATT’s First Friday event for June will feature Vaughan Woodruff, owner of Insource Renewables, a solar contracting and consulting firm based in Pittsfield. In addition to designing and installing solar heating, solar electric and heat pump systems in Maine, Insource Renewables provides technical expertise and access to the national solar industry through consulting, training and writing.
Woodruff will discuss the state of solar energy in Maine as well as how people can develop solar systems that would fit their individual situations.
His presentation will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at the Abbott Memorial Library meeting room For more information contact 924-3836 or info@ddatt.org.
Volunteer day at the Law Farm
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is hosting a Law Farm Volunteer Day on Saturday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a potluck picnic luncheon, in order to prepare the land for summertime visitors. The PCSWCD is seeking help with general trail cleanup, pruning the edge of fields, clearing around sitting circles and other projects. This is a great opportunity for civic groups, families, and for any students seeking community service hours, to get involved in the stewardship of this unique educational and recreational community asset.
Improvements have been made to the Law Farm, to continue Steve and Elaine Law’s legacy of inspiring children to learn about and love the natural world around them, with grants provided by the Department of Conservation’s Recreational Trails Program and the Maine Forest Service’s Project Canopy Program.
Future plans for the Law Farm include several acres of four season multi-use trails in addition to the current Bog Trail, which winds through a forest and out to a wetland area that is rich with bird life. Just a few introductory interpretive signs, including a map at the trailhead, have been installed to teach children and adults about the flora and fauna of the land. The upcoming volunteer day will help the PCSWCD prepare for additional improvements to the land.
All are welcome to join the PCSWCD at this event, and are asked to contact the PCSWCD by Tuesday, June 3 to pre-register. The Law Farm is located at 477 Milo Road and parking is in the farm parking area on the Lee Cemetery Road. Please contact the PCSWCD at 564-2321, ext. 3 or at info@piscataquisswcd.org for more information or other outdoor volunteer opportunities.
About the PCSWCD Law Farm: Steve and Elaine Law purchased this land in 1945 from their parents and deeded it to the PCSWCD in 2009, after a lengthy search for the organization that could best carry out the dual missions of teaching others the importance of stewardship of our natural resources and forest management of these resources, to keep them sustainable for future generations. Since that time, the conservation district has been managing the farm as a sustainable community land resource, so that this special property will grow as an educational, recreational and economic asset for our region. The PCSWCD has started building multi-use trails at the Law Farm, which are open to the public for year-round outdoor education and enjoyment. A Forest Management Plan, in accordance with the Maine Forest Service’s Woods WISE standards for stewardship enhancement, was developed by Gordon Moore, Piscataquis County district forester and PCSWCD board chair, with assistance provided by PCSWCD Supervisor and Forester Sam Brown. The 109-acre Law property is truly becoming a special place for our local community to discover natural wonders.
Two grants approved for fire tower restoration project
Contributed Article
BIG MOOSE TWP — Plum Creek Foundation recently awarded the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) of Maine with a $7,500 grant toward the restoration of the first full-time manned fire tower in the United States and another $8,500 was received from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund for the project. The heritage fund comes from the sale of instant lottery tickets.
Contributed photo
TOWER GRANT — Ray Ary of Plum Creek, right, presents a check to NREC President Tim Obrey for the fire tower restoration project
On June 10, 1905 the M.G. Shaw Lumber Company in cooperation with the Maine Forest Service, constructed the tower on top of Big Moose (formerly Squaw) Mountain just north of Greenville.
On August 7, 1993, the fire tower was placed on the National Historic Lookout Register. The cab of the fire tower was in a state of disrepair for many years but the original steel frame was in good condition.
In 2011, the state of Maine planned to upgrade the telecommunication systems at the fire tower location on top of Big Moose Mountain. At that time an agreement was reached with the Maine Forest Service to remove the steel frame from the historic fire tower with their helicopter and store it on the NREC property in Greenville until further funding could be secured to reconstruct the fire tower.
Last winter, NREC developed a plan to construct a wrap-around deck on the visitors’ center on Route 15 at the entrance to the Moosehead Lake Region. The plan includes attaching a fully-restored fire tower to the deck with steps and a handrail to the cab.
NREC will supplement the fire tower with other educational materials such as maps, navigational tools, and other displays related to the importance of fire towers and commercial forest lands to heritage of the Moosehead Lake Region.
Other partners for the project include the Forest Fire Lookout Association, the Maine Forest Service, the Charleston Correctional Facility and the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce. Final details will be made this summer and construction will begin in the early fall.
Online burn permits available
Citizens seeking to burn brush, wood debris or agricultural fields now have the option to obtain their open burning permits electronically. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Forestry announced that it has expanded the online burn permit system statewide. Traditional hand-written burn permits are still available, but the online system allows permits to be acquired 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing that the fire danger is not high.
“The ability of Maine citizens to conduct business online saves time and money and helps make state government more responsive and open,” said Gov. Paul R. LePage. “This is another positive change in the way we do business that will benefit the public. And please remember, only burn during periods of low fire danger and always be safe when making and tending to burn fires.”
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb noted that with this expansion Maine continues to be a leader in providing online burn permits. “Maine is one of the first states to issue permits electronically,” said Whitcomb. “The online burn permit system has proven to be a convenient, safe and reliable alternative means to obtain burn permits. We are pleased to be able to offer it to all Maine citizens.”
To expand the online system to cover the entire state, Forest Rangers, in cooperation with the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, made several improvements to the online burn permit system. The system has been available in certain southern Maine counties since 2005.
Unlike the previous system, revenues will now be shared with the municipality where the burn will occur. When permits are issued, the system can also notify up to twenty Town Fire Wardens and Fire Department personnel with emails or text messages. According to Chief Forest Ranger Bill Hamilton, “The online system is safe and only allows permits to be issued on class one or two days when the fire danger is low. By encouraging people to burn after 5 p.m. during periods of low to moderate fire danger, the chance of the burn escaping decreases significantly.”
Online burn permits can be obtained at any time and are valid for 48 hours after payment has been submitted. The fire chief or town warden for each municipality is able to impose further restrictions on allowable burn times or needed personnel and equipment.
For more information, please visit http://www.maineburnpermit.com or call 287-4989.
Volunteers wanted for Sangerville’s ‘Project Pride’
SANGERVILLE — The Sangerville Bicentennial Committee is organizing a volunteer clean-up day on Saturday, June 7 called “Project Pride.”
It’s time to think about cleaning up the community’s “places and spaces” because company is coming for the June 14 bicentennial celebration.
Helpers may report to the Sangerville Town Office parking lot at 8 a.m., rain or shine.
At noon, the town and bicentennial committee will provide a pizza party for volunteers. Please bring your own gloves, rakes and shovels. Garbage bags will be provided.
Since the bicentennial celebration coincides with Flag Day, the committee is encouraging businesses and residents to take pride in the town and beautify their storefronts and outdoor spaces in a red, white and blue patriotic theme.
They are anticipating thousands of people attending the bicentennial observance, including Gov. Paul LePage and Sen. Susan Collins.
For more information, contact the Sangerville Town Office at 876-2814.