Maine triples conserved lands to outdoors lovers’ delight: 3.3 million acres now protected

Outdoors delight: Maine triples conserved acreage

BIGELOW PRESERVE, Maine — Maine has tripled the amount of land set aside from development in recent years at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Now the state’s vast backcountry backyard offers outdoors lovers 3.3 million acres, roughly the size of Connecticut.

But not everyone is thrilled about the conservation. Foes say it takes lands off tax rolls and restricts use of snowmobiles.

But many people revel in the unspoiled playland.

For generations, Maine residents and visitors took for granted their access to this land as guests of the paper companies and other big landowners who allowed recreational use. But that long-standing tradition was threatened as the land was sold, broken into smaller parcels and taken over by developers.