AUGUSTA -- Land Use Regulation Commission members Wednesday found concerns in Plum Creek's plans for the Moosehead Lake region, but they also found balance.

"In my mind nobody is going to get everything that they want, but this proposal seems to provide the most benefit for every entity concerned. But it has to be taken as a whole," said Commissioner Rebecca Kurtz.

Other members of the seven-person board also worried about specific parts of the plan, notably a proposal for 404 housing units on Lily Bay and the impact implementation would have on the tiny LURC staff.

Despite those concerns, however, the board members found benefits in the proposal, which calls for 975 housing lots and two resorts in the Moosehead Lake region, a Mecca for sportsmen, anglers and hikers.

First proposed in April 2005, the plan, which would develop 20,000 acres but conserve roughly 400,000, went through significant revisions in 2006 and last year.

Last week, commission staff released a list of recommended changes to the plan that is about 130 pages long.

Commissioners appeared to have few major changes to add Wednesday, their second day of deliberations.

Staff members said they would attempt to have a revised list of the proposed changes -- incorporating comments and suggestions from the sessions this week -- ready for the commission's June meeting scheduled for next week.

A final decision is expected later this summer.

From the beginning, the plan has been controversial, with proponents saying it would forever alter the special character of a region that has been part of Maine's heritage for centuries, while supporters say it would bring economic growth into a region that is losing population and jobs.

Conservation groups, including the Natural Resources Council of Maine and Maine Audubon, argued that even the latest reincarnation, which features a smaller development footprint than earlier versions, still has too much.

In particular, too many homes, roads and related development would be built near Lily Bay State Park, potentially destroying the character of the east side of Moosehead Lake and degrading the experience of visitors to the park, say conservation groups.

Plum Creek Spokesman Luke Muzzy, however, said his company has made significant compromises already.

Muzzy said Plum Creek is studying the recommendations and trying to understand how the changes would affect the plan in its entirety.

"We have some serious concerns about what we have heard over the last few days and whether or not these recommendations would be viable," said Muzzy on Wednesday.

Commissioners also expressed strong concerns that the tiny LURC staff will be able to adequately enforce the terms of the agreement, if it is approved.

The commission, which has a staff of about 25, serves as the planning board for the unorganized territories, which makes up about half of Maine.

Budget cuts in the last Legislative session have trimmed the staff further.

Commissioners worry that the tiny agency will not be able to keep up with accelerating development in their jurisdiction. "If we don't have the capacity to implement and oversee, then it seems to me that we have really dropped the ball here," said Commissioner Edward Laverty.

Alan Crowell -- 861-9244

acrowell@centralmaine.com