Forest referendum is topic of discussion

The so-called clear-cutting referendum on Maine’s November ballot will be aired in a panel discussion on Wednesday Oct. 9.

The 7:30 p.m. roundtable will take place in the Edmund S. Muskie Archives. The public is invited to attend at no charge.

Scheduled participants are Jonathan Carter, head of the Maine Green Party, which supports the original ballot question which would severely restrict clear cuts in Maine’s unorganized territories; and Everett ‘Brownie’ Carson, executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, which backs the ‘Forestry Compact’ devised by Gov. Angus King.

A representative of the forest-products industry is also expected to take part in the discussion.

Besides the original referendum question and King’s compromise proposal, the Nov. 5 ballot also will carry a ‘none of the above’ line for those who do not want to change current forest-management practices in the unorganized territories.

The panel discussion is sponsored by the Edmund S. Muskie Archives.