CARIBOU, Maine — The Maine Land Use Planning Commission will host two public hearings on Irving Woodlands LLC’s proposed Fish River Chain of Lakes Concept Plan, for lands within T15 R5 WELS, Madawaska Lake Twp., T16 R5 WELS, T17 R3 WELS, Sinclair Twp. and Cross Lake Twp.
Members of the public may attend and participate in either of the scheduled public sessions, which will be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on Tuesday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 23, starting at 6 p.m.
The hearing will allow the petitioner and members of the public to present testimony and evidence as to whether the proposal meets criteria for approval.
Irving proposes to rezone approximately 51,000 acres as part of the plan. Concept plans are landowner-created, long-range plans for the development and conservation of a large area. These plans clarify long-term landowner intent and indicate the areas where development is to be focused, the relative density of proposed development, and the means by which significant natural and recreational resources are to be protected.
The commission anticipates heavy attendance at these sessions, and speakers will likely be limited to 3 to 5 minutes each, based on the number of individuals interested in offering testimony. Those who wish to speak during a public session may begin arriving between 5:30 and 6 p.m that evening to sign up. Participants can only speak at one session.
All members of the public may attend and offer testimony relevant to the commission’s review of the proposal. Speakers do not need to submit written testimony before the hearing. Members of the public may simply attend the hearing and give oral testimony during the public comment sessions.
The hearing record will remain open until noon on June 22 to allow the public and parties to file written statements with the commission, and for an additional 21 days until noon on July 13, to allow parties to file written statements in rebuttal of comments filed previously. The hearing record may reopen at a later date; notice of such possible reopening will be established in a subsequent public notice.
In addition, three technical sessions will be held at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center on Tuesday, May 22, 1:30-5 p.m.; Wednesday, May 23, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Thursday, May 24, starting at 8:30 a.m. The public may attend, but not participate in, the technical sessions.
Written statements should be sent to the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, by mail to 22 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0022, or by email to: Timothy.Beaucage@maine.gov.
Disabilities: Persons with disabilities planning to attend the hearing are requested to inform the Commission in advance so that arrangements can be made for services they require.
Those interested may view a full copy of the proposed concept plan on the LUPC’s website, www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/reference/resourceplans/fishriverlakes_prp015.html; or the following local sites: the LUPC’s Ashland office at 45 Radar Road, Ashland; 435-7963; the Aroostook County Commissioners Office at 144 Sweden St, Suite 1, Caribou; 493-3318; or the Fort Kent Town Office on Main St., Fort Kent; 834-3003.
