SKOWHEGAN -- Somerset Economic Development Corp. voted Friday to contact the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council. It was seen as a first step toward becoming a voice for economic development in Plum Creek's plan for the Moosehead Lake region.

The plan -- placed under revision last week -- would create nearly 1,000 house lots and two resorts across unorganized territory.

Both resorts would be in Piscataquis County, while the house lots would be roughly divided evenly between the two counties.

Jim Batey, executive director of the Somerset board, said he will confer soon with the Piscataquis group. Should they agree on a plan, Batey said, he will make a proposal to his board in February that would seek intervenor status with the Land Use Regulation Commission, which has jurisdiction over the Plum Creek proposal.

William V. Ferdinand Jr., a lawyer with Eaton and Peabody, advised Somerset that the Feb. 14 deadline to apply for intervenor status will be pushed back, given Plum Creek's decision to revise its plan. As Ferdinand explained it, intervenors have a place and a voice at the discussion table.

"The environmental groups have hired lawyers, and they're going to go for it in a big way," Ferdinand said. "Jim has been trying to make sure that (the Land Use Regulation Commission) balances economic development with environmental protection. But he has been a lonely voice in the hearings."

Eaton and Peabody consultants are working with the economic development corporation on an updated county economic strategy. The Somerset group already has expressed its support for Plum Creek's rezoning plan.

Jack Clukey, president of the Piscataquis Economic Development Council and Dover-Foxcroft town manager, said his group already voted to file for intervenor status during its Jan. 3 meeting. But the Piscataquis group is open to a joint filing with Somerset, he said.