Federal Funds to be Used for Appalachian Trail repairs in Piscataquis County

December 22, 2004

DOVER-FOXCROFT - Some of the federal funds that Piscataquis County receives in lieu of taxes for the miles of Appalachian Trail in unorganized territories will be used to improve the popular trail. Piscataquis County commissioners on Tuesday approved use of $8,400 of the approximately $18,000 in federal funds anticipated in 2005 to support two weeks of reconstruction projects on Whitecap Mountain and $1,000 for the Ridge Runner program, which addresses resource management issues in the Gulf Hagas region.

"In principle, I think it's a good idea," Commissioner Tom Lizotte said.

In past years, the annual contribution from the federal government in lieu of taxes has been placed into the General Fund of the unorganized territories budget. The funds, in essence, have helped to cover the operational costs for cemeteries, road maintenance, and fire and police protection in these unorganized areas.

Last month, after members of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club Inc. gave a presentation, the commissioners agreed to fund special projects on the trail. Members of MATC, an organization formed in 1991 to address a substantial backlog of trail reconstruction projects for badly damaged, eroded portions, were asked to recommend a couple of projects to be funded.

Don Stack, MATC president, recommended to the commissioners in a letter read Tuesday that $7,400 be used to pay for two weeks of trail work in 2005. The work will include rock steps on Whitecap and West Peak, as well as side-hill work in Blanchard. Commissioners were told the funds would cover the cost of recruitment, staff and payroll, volunteer staff meals, camping equipment, tools, base camp support, and transportation.

The $1,000 for the Ridge Runner program, also known as the caretaker program in Gulf Hagas, will allow MATC to have an individual on-site in the region two extra weeks through mid-October. The caretaker provides information to hikers, helps minimize accidents by educating hikers on the difficulties involved in Gulf Hagas, collects hiker data, conducts trail maintenance and monitors campsites.