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The region surrounding this narrow, protected corridor is rich in Maine's wilderness heritage — providing opportunities for hiking, crosscountry skiing, remote fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

Spectacular natural wonders such as Gulf Hagas, the Cloud Forest and the Debsconeags Lakes, offer unparalleled vistas, wild forests and waterways. The area also hosts several 100-plus year old traditional wilderness sporting camps where clients fly fish the native wild fisheries that are home to Maine Brook Trout and watch for loons, bald eagles, moose, bear, lynx and pine marten.

But despite its name, this ecologically rich area is by no means a preserved Wilderness. A majority of this land is privately owned by paper companies which have executed heavy timber cutting, clearcuts and roadbuilding— in some places only 100 feet from the Appalachian Trail. Corporate landowner Plum Creek recently announced the biggest development plan in Maine's history in and around the 100Mile region.

The plan includes nearly 1,000 residential homes near pristine lakes and ponds, two resorts, sporting camps, an RV park, golf course and a 30 year timber harvest plan for 400,000 acres (half of their land in Maine).

Sierra Club has made protection of the area a top priority. Local Sierra Activists are working within their northern communities and have an unprecedented opportunity to forward our vision of large-scale protection of Maine's North Woods.

The goal of the Maine Woods Campaign is to secure wilderness protection of a large area of ecologically significant forestland within the famed 100 Mile Wilderness region of the Appalachian Trail. We have proposed protecting as wilderness all of the special natural areas that are adjacent to the 100-Mile Section of the AT (approximately 200,000 acres). Working with the conservation community, sporting interests, public officials and local supporters, we are actively pursuing various options for funding acquisition of key land parcels to benefit the region.

The Sierra Club of Maine is also participating in land deal discussions that promote conservation within the 100 Mile Wilderness region.

For more information, contact Karen Woodsum, One Pleasant St. Portland, Maine 04101. 207-761-5616.