Black Nubble (Redington Township, Maine) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black Nubble
Black Nubble Location in Maine
Highest point
Elevation	3700+ ft (1128+ m)  NGVD 29
Prominence	900 ft (270 m)
Geography
Location	Franklin County, Maine, U.S.
Topo map	USGS Black Nubble

Black Nubble is a mountain located in Franklin County, Maine. Black Nubble is flanked to the southeast by Mount Redington. Redington stands just north of the U.S. Navy Survival Escape and Evasion Training Facility (USSEAETF).

Black Nubble stands within the watershed of the Kennebec River, which drains into the Gulf of Maine. The east side of Black Nubble drains into Nash Stream, then into the South Branch of the Dead River, Flagstaff Lake, the Dead River and the Kennebec. The west side of Black Nubble drains into the West Branch of Nash Stream. The south end of Black Nubble drains into Orbeton Stream, then into the Sandy River, another tributary of the Kennebec River.

Wind farm proposal

In 2005, Maine Mountain Power (MMP) filed an application with the Maine Land Use Regulation Committee (LURC) for a permit to develop a 30-turbine wind farm on Black Nubble and neighboring Mt. Redington. After years of contentious debate, the proposal was voted down by the LURC in 2007. The summit of Redington was seen as too ecologically sensitive — a sub-alpine fir habitat providing a home for two rare species, the bog lemming and Bicknell's thrush. Also, the development would have been visible for miles along the Appalachian Trail. A revised proposal, for 18 turbines only on Black Nubble, was put forward by MMP, supported by many environmental groups, but still opposed by Maine Audubon. The project was rejected by the LURC in 2008.