HOULTON, Maine — The land along the North Branch of the Meduxnekeag River in Monticello has been returned to the Maliseet people following a two-year combined effort by the tribe and several conservancy groups.
The acquisition of 1,327 acres abutting tribally owned Wilderness Pines Campground is part of a larger effort in Maine to restore access and ownership of tribal lands to the Wabanaki people, according to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
“This parcel significantly adds to the tribe’s land holdings and represents the largest of the tribe’s woodlots,” said Susan Young, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians real estate and natural resources director in a release.
Tribal Chief Clarissa Sabattis, along with Young and other tribal leaders, first began exploring the return of conserved lands to the Wabanaki people about seven years ago.
For the past two years, they have worked with First Light Learning Journey, The Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Fund to acquire the Monticello parcel.
A portion of the acquisition includes three and a half miles of river frontage on the North Branch of the Meduxnekeag River, the location of the tribe’s instream restoration efforts to improve aquatic habitat for cold water fishes, especially Atlantic salmon.
In addition to the river frontage, the parcel contains wild brook trout priority habitat, inland wading bird and waterfowl habitat, rare plant habitat and some deer wintering areas, according to the Maine Natural Areas Program.
Additionally, there are a variety of forest types and wildlife habitat, including black ash for basketmaking, along with other culturally significant plants also found on the land.
Initial plans are to make the parcel available for more hunting, gathering and other cultural activities for tribal citizens, and to provide access to wild, undeveloped areas for the tribe’s Wilderness Pines Campground, the release said.
Long-term plans include timber management for forest and ecosystem health and potentially tribal income.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has a goal of expanding its Wilderness Pines Campground trail system and adding more camp sites to the park. Increased cultural tourism opportunities are also part of the expansion, Sabattis said.
The tribe plans to submit a “fee to trust application” to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to convert this parcel to trust land to provide greater opportunities to use federal programs for the long-term stewardship of this property.
