KRI Action Group Meetings

This next set of KRI meetings will refine the goals for protection and restoration of river corridor areas and better define the amount and kind of economic growth and development desired. We expect the Action Group meetings to produce specific recommendations for KRI phase II projects.

At the Reach Committee meetings in January participants examined river uses and values and how these fit into one of three categories:

1. protection/remediation

2. Access

3. Growth/development

At the Action Group meetings we want to expand on the information collected at the Reach meetings and to identify, goals for future KRI activities and specific recommendations/projects for implementation during KRI Phase II. One meeting will focus on these goals in the context of conservation, restoration and access. The other meeting will focus on community-based economic development.

Why Two Meetings?

We decided to hold two Action Group meetings to provide additional structure and focus to the particular discussion topic.

At the protection/restoration meeting we hope to see land trusts, conservation groups, landowners and wildlife/fisheries management interests. Improved and better access for the Kennebec Corridor is included here as well.

Municipal officials, local businesses, commercial developers, citizen groups, recreation interests as well as tourism/hospitality groups should attend the economic development meeting.

While participants may have a particular area of interest, we invite anyone interested in the future of the Kennebec to participate in one or both meetings.

Group 1: Kennebec Corridor Protection and Restoration

Location: Thomas College; Student Center Atrium

Thursday, April 26 from 1 pm to 4 pm

Groups and individuals begin to define specific project proposals (new projects or strengthen existing projects). Funding and other needs should be specified as much as possible.

Proposed Projects in this group should:

-protect natural resources and corridor values (habitat, aesthetic & cultural values, fisheries, etc);

-include the public;

-increase public access in appropriate places (land and water);

-utilize partnerships; and

- be as specific to location(s) as possible.

Group 2: Economic growth and development in the Kennebec Corridor

Location: Thomas College; Student Center Atrium

Wednesday, May 2 from 1 pm to 4 pm

Groups and individuals begin to define specific projects and proposals (new projects or strengthen existing projects). Funds needed and other needs should be specified as much as possible.

Proposed Projects in this group should:

-have strong community support;

-fit character of river;

-bring revenue/jobs to local economy; and

-utilize regional coordination/where possible, link areas up and down the river corridor.

A Little Homework

Prior to the meetings, participants can work on two items.

1.) In addition to writing the KRI Action Plan this year, what should the role of KRI be into the future? List your ideas/goals for KRI. If possible, send your goal list ahead of time so we can group similar goals and items and present ideas at the Action Group meeting. At the meetings, KRI will present a summary of these proposed goals and facilitate a discussion on this topic.

2.) We invite you to submit short but specific project proposals for inclusion in the Action Plan. Projects should be as specific as possible with regard to location, feasibility, partnerships, and cost.

� Please go to the Kennebec SWCD website (www.kcswcd.org) to see the updated maps that came out of the reach meetings held in January. These maps should be used as reference for locating project proposals

� We encourage you to consult with professional colleagues, neighbors, and town officials in developing your project idea

� Submit to us a brief pre-proposal (1 page or less) for your project idea, with as many specifics as possible (reference area #(s) on maps, partners, costs, intended outcome) We have included a template to get you started.

We will collect these ideas (some may be merged with other proposals where appropriate, others may need more info) and present them to the groups at the Action meetings.

At the meetings

� Participants will introduce themselves and describe their key interest(s) and any partners they are working with or hope to work with.

� KRI staff will give an overview of the project to this point and where things are headed in the future. Discussion on goals for the future of KRI.

� A Look at the updated maps from the reach committee meetings held in January.

� Look at project proposals from individuals and groups tied to the maps. These projects will appear in the Action Plan. KRI staff will facilitate activities to connect proposals regionally. Each proposal will need a contact person or group associated with it for it to be included in the Action Plan.

 

Tom Remington

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