BIDDEFORD — Nearly three years ago, many were thrilled when the nearly 157-acre parcel on Biddeford’s coastline known as Timber Point became part of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.

Conservationists, neighbors and many others were happy that the property, one of the last large, virtually undisturbed properties in southern Maine, would be forever preserved as a wildlife sanctuary, with limited public use for hiking on the Timber Point Trail and archery hunting.

Recently, however, there is a debate involving the property as the public weighs in on what should happen to a house and several other structures that were part of the federal purchase of the lot.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which manages the refuge, is accepting public comments through the end of October on what people think should happen to the house and other structures, which include a potting shed, laundry, truck garage and other buildings.

A list of alternatives based on earlier public comment and recommendations from service staff range from doing nothing to opening the buildings to public use.

Last week, the public had the opportunity to view the interior and exterior of the house, which was built in 1931 by Charles Ewing. His descendants, who inherited the property, sold the land, along with the house and other structures, to the refuge in December 2011.

Also last week, there were two opportunities for the public to attend meetings about Timber Point, to learn more about possible uses for the structures, as described in an environmental assessment on Timber Point developed by the service.

During those meetings, people gave their opinions about the alternatives listed in the environmental assessment.

The four alternatives include: Option A ”“ no action, continue minimal maintenance and stabilization of the buildings, which would not be open to the public or used by refuge staff; Option B ”“ make improvements to some of the buildings to ensure long-term preservation of the house and other structures, which might be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, build a trail to the house and add interpretive signs; Option C ”“ adaptive re-use of the buildings with the support of a nonprofit partner, which would necessitate significant building improvements and the addition of offices, classrooms, research space and overnight accommodations as well as improving the road to the house for greater vehicular traffic; and Option D ”“ the buildings would be removed either through demolition or moving the structures to another location, and the area would be returned to a vegetative state.

In addition to these alternatives, the decision-maker, Northeast National Wildlife Refuge System chief Scott Kahan, could elect a combination of some of the suggested options or something entirely different ”“ although another environmental assessment would be necessary with more public input if a significantly different option were being considered.

There are costs associated with each option. The estimated cost of Option A would be $65,000 for initial improvements, and $6,000 annually for maintenance; Option B would cost $390,000 for the building and other improvements, $28,000 for interpretive signs and an annual maintenance fee of $35,000; the estimated cost of Option C is $3.2 million for improvements, with an additional $80,000 in annual maintenance fees, plus $166,000 for refuge salary; and Option D would have a one-time fee of $180,000 for demolition of the buildings and revegetating the site.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is recommending Option B, said Assistant Refuge Manager Karrie Schwaab in an interview with the Journal Tribune earlier this month.

This option is recommended, said Schwaab, “because we feel that alternative is a good balance between people and habitat.”

The Biddeford Conservation Commission has made a recommendation of its own in support of Option A. A position paper on the subject, put out by the commission, states that it “supports an alternative that is the most conservative and supportive of the environment that exists today on Timber Point and Timber Point Island.”

Some favor opening the buildings to the public.

Biddeford resident Josephine Powers supports adaptive reuse of the building, Option C.

Powers, who established the nonprofit organization Timber Point Center and the Timber Point Center Working group, would like to reuse the Ewing’s former home.

“The group envisions offering a unique setting and space, and a focused, creative, contemplative environment for small groups who seek to further their work,” according to the center’s website.

On Tuesday, Powers said there are policies and directives that would allow for Option C.

Holly Colluton also spoke in favor of Option C, and the reuse and preservation of the main house and other structures. She said the buildings shouldn’t be destroyed because they are historically significant.

Several people who live on Granite Point Road, the road on which Timber Point is located, said they were against Option C, because it would mean greater use of the buildings and more traffic on the narrow road.

Lisa Haith said the road that leads to Timber Point gets washed out frequently during severe storms, so maintaining that would be costly.

“This is supposed to be about the environment,” said Deb Gott. “I’m just for keeping the environment, not spending money on buildings.”

Ken Putney said he made a donation to help purchase Timber Point.

“It was never believed by those participating in the fundraiser that the buildings would be protected or preserved,” he said.

Putney said he believes the buildings should be torn down or moved rather than “spending more and more money on buildings and (their) maintenance.”

Refuge Supervisor Graham Taylor said public input is just one of the considerations to be reviewed before a decision of what to do with the structures is made.

“It’s not a popularity contest,” he said.

A decision on the matter is expected at the end of the year.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].