Maine's nationally recognized recreational water route generated $1.75 million a year

[jpak]

http://www.pressherald.com/news/the-revenue-trail_2011-04-17.html

Bill Baker got a call recently from a California couple who want to get married this summer on a Maine island. Baker, owner of Old Quarry Ocean Adventures in Stonington, is suggesting a few nearby destinations. They include state-owned Hell's Half Acre and Steve's Island, and Green Island, owned by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

All are on the Maine Island Trail, a 375-mile, recreational water route that's gaining increasing national recognition among paddlers and boaters -- and the occasional wedding party. That awareness, outfitters and guides such as Baker have learned, also has an economic component.

"It's a huge attraction and a big part of my business," he said. "If the Maine Island Trail wasn't there, and those islands weren't open to the public, it would be very difficult to find destinations."

<snip>

The state's $50,000 contribution goes to general maintenance and funds a summer caretaker on Casco Bay's Jewell Island, the trail's most popular stop. The study shows that the money is a good investment for the state, according to Rex Turner, an outdoor recreation planner in the parks and lands bureau.

<more>

[xchrom]

1. very nice. nt

[Drale]

2. The National Parks are a huge boon to local economies

I believe the numbers are something like for ever 1 federal dollar invested in the parks 4 tourists dollars are spent in the local economies.

[jpak]

3. Roxanne Quimby, founder of Burt's Bees, wants to donate 70,000 acres for a Nat'l Park

The land is next to Baxter State Park.

LePage and the GOP are against it

words fail me

[Drale]

5. Yeah I saw that

I am a supporter of Maine Woods National park, but the repukes seem bent on destroying every single last piece of our environment.

[MineralMan]

4. Yes, and the baggers want to sell or privatize them.

They'd be happy if Yellowstone was turned into a mammoth geothermal power plant, surrounded by a chain link fence topped with barbed wire.

Yosemite and Sequoia would be clear-cut for the ancient redwoods.

That's their plan.

[Gregorian]

6. This is in the environment forum.

I see this throughout the sports community. From the people I ride with, to those in the biking forum. People who don't seem to see the carbon footprint they leave in their wake.

The sentiment seems to be that anyone who dares to point this out is evil, or a heretic of some kind. Yet the reality is that I see people going on 500 gallon bike rides.

This open space for sports is fantastic. But how far can one take it? People flying from all places on the globe just for a canoe ride?

I have spent a lifetime bottling up what I feel about what is going on. Basically, pointing this out is like asking for confrontation. Is this not an emergency we're in? I hear people complaining about SUV's, and then flying off to go to Europe for a week. What's the point of driving a Prius if you are using the same amount of fuel as if you were driving an SUV around?

It's off topic. I just have to start talking about this. I know it's going to hurt to see the replies. How dare I be negative. After all, it's really none of my business what you do. Or is it? I share this planet. And I share it with those who will be coming after me. I care about them.

[jpak]

7. Yes- these are state conservation lands set aside for preservation

and you can get to Portland by AMTRAK these days

No SUV required