State acquires conservation easement on 4200 acres
Portland Press Herald, July 1, 2003

(also appeared on WMTW-TV Channel 8's website on Monday, June 30, 2003)

AUGUSTA (AP) -- The Department of Conservation announced today it has purchased an easement that will permanently conserve 4200 acres of land next to Mount Blue State Park in western Maine.

The department said it has acquired a conservation easement over the land for about $480,000. The easement prohibits development of the land, guarantees public access and ensures sustainable forestry practices.

The purchase is part of a larger effort by the state, the Trust for Public Land and the Tumbledown Conservation Alliance to conserve 30,000 acres in the region.

With today's announcement, about 20,000 acres have been conserved.