A group of Greenvillle-area residents and business advocates have filed a petition to intervene in support of Plum Creek Timber Co.’s rezoning and development plans for the Moosehead Lake region.

Members of the group, the Coalition to Preserve and Grow Northern Maine, said they want to be part of the discussion so the voices of local people most affected by the plan do not get drowned out by other groups.

The group says the plan would provide needed economic opportunity for the region while preserving timberlands that serve the wood products industry.

Two statewide environmental groups announced this week they seeking permission to intervene and believe the development plans are too extensive and threaten important natural areas and valuable wildlife habitat. Numerous other groups also have filed to intervene for and against the plan.

The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission expects to hold public hearings on Plum Creek’s latest plans in the fall. The company wants permission to out 975 house lots and two resorts in the timberlands surrounding Moosehead.