Downeast Region - Management Plan

The links below relate to the management plan for the Downeast Region Public Reserved Lands in Hancock and Washington Counties. The plan, adopted in March 2007, guides the management activities of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands on public lands at Donnell Pond, Rocky Lake; Cutler Coast, Great Heath, Osborn North and South Lots, T24 MD Lot, Number 14 Township North and South Lots, and Number 21 Township North and South Lots.

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Plan Update and Review

The Bureau of Parks and Lands has completed the second Five-Year Review of the 2007 Downeast Region Management Plan covering the period from 2013 through 2017. The Integrated Resource Policy (IRP) requires that the Bureau, at five year intervals, report to the Advisory Committee on accomplishments and changing conditions that may warrant amendments to the plan.

The Five-Year Review is prepared in a table format. It is linked below as a PDF under Management Plan Review Documents. It:

  • Lists plan recommendations (left column), and
  • Actions taken to implement each recommendation (right column), and
  • Identifies, from the Bureau's perspective, any issues any new issues or circumstances that were not addressed in the plan that may warrant Committee discussion or action (at end of table).

The Five-Year Review table was sent to Advisory Committee Members on December 7, 2017.

As described below the review table, the Bureau identified a new issue related to agricultural leases on blueberry barrens at Donnell Pond and Cutler Coast. The Bureau proposed to renew the leases with a temporary break from organic requirements to allow the leaseholder to better control competing vegetation on the barrens.

The Bureau asked AC members for comments on the review table and the blueberry barrens issue, and to identify any new issues or circumstances that may Committee input or action. Written comments were accepted for three weeks following the email distribution of the review materials. Two Committee members submitted comments; no new issues were identified.

A Final Report on the Five-Year Review, summarizing the review process and the Bureau’s responses to comments (both linked below), was sent to the Advisory Committee on January 11, 2018. The Bureau will issue new leases for the barrens in 2018 that will allow a temporary break from the organic requirement, and will seek the advice of an Extension Service Specialist in formulating the new lease requirements, and the most environmentally appropriate plan for management of the barrens. A return to organic status will be required to renew the leases after the first five years. No Plan amendment is required for this temporary change.

Management Plan Review Documents

Management Plan Documents

For more information:

Jim Vogel
Senior Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks and Public Lands
22 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-2163