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| PRESS RELEASE: FIRST WIND AND FOREST SOCIETY OF MAINE ESTABLISH FUND TO ENHANCE OUTDOOR RECREATION IN NORTHERN WASHINGTON COUNTY |
| A $100,000 contribution by First Wind will allow the Forest Society of Maine to provide grants to local groups and communities to maintain and enhance recreational access in the Baskahegan Stream watershed |
| 10/01/2009 |
First Wind, an independent North American wind power company and the Forest Society of Maine, a statewide land trust working to conserve the values of forestlands in Maine, today jointly announced the establishment of the Stetson Mountain Fund. The Fund will provide grants to local groups and communities to maintain and enhance access to recreational opportunities in the Baskahegan Stream watershed, which arises from the slopes of Stetson Mountain in Washington County. First Wind is donating $100,000 to the Forest Society to establish the Fund.
“Residents and visitors to the region enjoy these waters, and access for water-related recreational activities helps sustain the traditions and values of the nearby communities,” said Alan Hutchinson, Executive Director, Forest Society of Maine. “We are excited about this opportunity to help local organizations and municipalities provide facilities and programs that will allow people to stay connected to these woods and waters.”
Grants from the Fund will be made by the Forest Society of Maine based upon the recommendation of a Fund Advisory Committee, consisting of a representative associated with the guiding/recreational activities in the area, a forestland owner or manager, and a civic leader from a local community. The committee members will assist in reviewing applications submitted for potential funding, with the first grants expected to be awarded in spring 2010. Typical grants are expected to be in the $1,000 to $3,000 range.
“I am pleased by the opportunities offered by this Fund. The people of Washington County and in particular those who live within the confines of the Baskahegan River Watershed value the outdoors as an essential part of their daily lives,” said Elbridge Cleaves, an area resident and business owner. “People who live here know how important our woods and waters are to our quality of life and economic well being.”
First Wind owns and operates Stetson Wind, the largest operational utility-scale wind farm in New England. Stetson Wind, which achieved commercial operations in January 2009, provides a range of economic benefits to Washington and Penobscot counties. The project delivers clean, renewable energy to more than 23,000 New England homes. More than $50 million was spent with, and more than 350 people were employed from, Maine-based businesses and organizations during the development and construction of the project.
“First Wind believes that our projects and the beautiful natural resources of Maine can co-exist in harmony. For years, people in Maine have enjoyed access to these surroundings, and we hope that this Fund will make them accessible for even more people. We are very happy to show our support for the economy and culture of Washington County,” said Matt Kearns, Vice President, Development - New England, First Wind. “We find it very important to foster the continued preservation of the surrounding areas and maintain recreational access for Maine. We are excited at the prospect of seeing the fruits of the projects that emerge out of the Fund in the years to come.”
The Stetson Mountain Fund is intended to support public water access for traditional recreational uses, help provide infrastructure for and management support of traditional public recreation uses such as campsites, and as funds permit, provide support for local groups to locally important land acquisition projects supportive of water access. The Fund will support projects within the 250 square mile Baskahegan Stream watershed which flows into the Mattawamkeag River and is part of the larger Penobscot River watershed.
About the Forest Society of Maine
The mission of the Forest Society of Maine (FSM) is to conserve Maine's forestlands in a manner that sustains the ecological, economic, cultural, and recreational values of the Maine woods. As Maine’s land trust for the North Woods, FSM focuses its efforts to promote the conservation of functional, working forest landscapes with multiple social and ecological values. www.fsmaine.org.
About First Wind
First Wind is an independent North American wind energy company focused exclusively on the development, ownership and operation of wind energy projects. First Wind is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts. For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com or follow us on Twitter @FirstWind.
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For more information, contact:
For Forest Society of Maine:
Alan Hutchinson
Executive Director
207-945-9200
For First Wind:
John Lamontagne
Director, Communications
857-226-5149 |
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