On occasion, the PCEDC is asked to support conservation projects in and around Maine's North Woods. Realizing that there are both opportunities and risks associated with land conservation, the PCEDC Board of Directors adopted a list of considerations for the Executive Committee to utilize when evaluating a conservation proposal. In order for the Executive Committee to lend formal support, a conservation proposal must have elements of the following criteria:

• Multiple and Diverse Use of the Land
  The Maine Woods, primarily held by large private property owners in the forest products industries, currently makes possible multiple uses and provides for many diverse activities on the land. Examples of such use range from traditional timber harvesting to camp development to wildlife habitat to public access for snowmobiling and ATVs to public access for hunting, fishing, hiking and kayaking. The PCEDC Executive Committee should recognize that all of these uses provide indirect benefit to Piscataquis County and its economy and the way of life of the people who live and visit our community. Therefore, any changes in allowed use of the land through a project should be weighed to see what is gained and what is lost, with preference given to projects which maintain, protect, or enhance the current allowed uses of the land.

• Special Consideration for Forest Products Activities
  One primary aspect of Piscataquis County's economic development plan is to encourage investment in the forest products field within our region. The County currently benefits from the presence of several businesses dependant upon access to wood fiber in the Maine Woods. Indeed, many County residents have jobs which are dependant upon this stream of wood fiber. It is imperative that projects considered by the Executive Committee not hinder the long-term access of Piscataquis County area forest-products companies to the fiber and related wood products they need to do business.

• Special Consideration for Motorized Recreation Activities
  Many businesses in Piscataquis County benefit from motorized recreationists who visit the region. Indeed, the County is heavily invested in numerous Snowmobile Trail Grooming programs and recognizes the importance of these business to the County economy. Projects considered by the PCEDC Executive Committee should not adversely impact these industries, or should be weighed to consider what else the project brings to the region to off-set any lost access or any altered and closed trails. For example, it would be detrimental to the County to have a conservation project close off a snowmobile trail, especially a major ITS trail. But it would be beneficial to have a trail re-routed and given a permanent home where the County, the snowmobile clubs, and other entities could count on a return on annual investment in the trail itself, and not have to worry about being moved off the site one day.

• Special Consideration for Non-Motorized Recreation Activities
  There are a number of businesses in Piscataquis County who benefit from tourism related to non-motorized recreation. Such tourists tend to commit to these activities through a greater range of seasons and conditions. In other words, the time of year is less important and more variable for everything from hiking and camping to canoeing and cross-country skiing. Participants in these types of activities also tend to go through with their plans despite unfavorable weather conditions. Therefore, growth in this outdoor recreation sector can lead to expansion of the tourist trade in the "off-seasons" of late fall / early winter and spring / early summer. These types of activities tend to be compatible with motorized recreation in the sense that Piscataquis County can accommodate visitors participating in both motorized and non-motorized recreation. The County should find a way to encourage this type of non-motorized recreation, especially if the project will encourage investment in the necessary infrastructure (e.g., trails, etc.).

• Educational Components and School / Community Enrichment
  There is great and growing interest by the public, especially visitors to our region, to learn about the history and the cultural / physical components of the Maine Woods. If a project would enhance the education of the public then the project should be strongly considered. Indeed, there is great merit in and arguably a demand for collaboration between local community groups and area schools for outdoor educational endeavors and outdoor experiential learning. Projects which promote such cultural heritage and outdoor learning aspects within the County should be strongly considered. The PCEDC Executive Committee should encourage conservation projects and policies to find a way to enhance educational opportunities along this vein as this will both enrich the community and encourage investment of residents and businesses, as well as encourage an additional layer of tourist visitation.