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Major Resort Threatens Acadia National Park

View from Schoodic Head courtesy of Acadia National Park

Promoted as an “eco-resort” and a “community of wilderness homes”, Italian developers have proposed to build a large resort immediately adjacent to the Schoodic part of Acadia National Park.  Considered the single biggest threat to Acadia National Park by Park officials, the development threatens the unique character and traditions of the communities of eastern Hancock County, the area’s ecological and scenic integrity, and the experience of visitors to Acadia’s spectacular Schoodic Point.

The Modena family owns about 3,300 acres in Winter Harbor and Gouldsboro immediately north of Acadia.  (See map).  Consultants have unveiled preliminary maps showing two luxury hotels and multiple villas (potentially hundreds of structures), areas for a golf course, nature education centers, a kayaking center, housing for resort employees, and an extensive network of roads as well as trails for walking and electric carts.  Much of the most intensive development is planned for very close to the access roads into and out of the Acadia and next to the boundary line with the Park.  Pristine Sargent Island is slated for development as is the vicinity of Frazer Creek at the entrance to the Park’s land.  Although the developers are offering “bird rehabilitation centers” and environmental education centers as part of the development, that seems like a poor trade off for one of the most ecologically intact coastal forests in the region.  It is akin to building a museum to show people what once lived on the land before the development was built.  Seen by many as the “quiet part of Acadia”, the proposed development would forever alter the character of Schoodic peninsula and the special nature of this part of the Park.

The proposed development seems to be inconsistent with local comprehensive plans and the Park Management Plan.  It also threatens the Schoodic to Schoodic Initiative being led by Frenchman Bay Conservancy.  This initiative seeks to keep Schoodic Point biologically and genetically connected to the Schoodic Mountain/Tunk Lake public lands by protecting large blocks of unfragmented animal and plant habitat as opportunities arise to work with cooperative landowners and willing sellers.

The Sierra Club is following the Modena development plans closely and is participating in conversations that include state and federal officials, local community leaders, and various non-profit organizations including Friends of Acadia, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, and Acadia Partners for Science and Learning. 

If you would like to get involved or obtain more information about the project, please contact Conservation Chair Ken Cline at kscrivers@yahoo.com (207-288-3381) or Deb Loftus at loftusdw@adelphia.net  (207-288-8111).