A second round of meetings recently took place in late April and early May. These two meetings were called “Action Group Meetings” as opposed to the “Reach Committee Meetings” held in January. Action Group meetings focused on 4 action categories which were divided into two groups. The first meeting dealt with Kennebec Corridor Protection, Restoration and Access and the second meeting looked at Economic Growth and Development in the Kennebec Corridor.

These two meetings were attended by 35-40 people.

4/26/2007 Thomas College, Waterville

TOPIC: Kennebec Corridor Protection, Restoration and Access

27 people attended the meeting on April 26th at Thomas College in Waterville. This goal of this meeting was to develop a menu of projects that fit into the: Kennebec Corridor Protection, Restoration and Access category.

Groups and individuals were asked to come to the meeting with ideas of definite specific project proposals (new projects or strengthen existing projects). The proposals received will be worked into the Action Plan and tied to the map work completed during the Reach Committee Meetings in January.

Participants were given guidance in developing their “project menus”. Proposed actions in this group should:

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

-include the public, and help people buy into the larger goal of Kennebec River protection

-increase public access in appropriate places (land and water); minimize impacts on more wild stretches

-utilize partnerships; and

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

Outcome of this meeting:

When the project proposals that came out of the meeting were sorted through and some combinations made, we ended up with the following project proposals. Many are site-specific actions but there are also a fair number of programs that should be implemented river-wide. While some projects are already underway, most are at the conceptual stage and need partners and funds to get started.

Project ‘menu’ from the first Action Group meeting:

1. River-wide boat launch inventory

2. Improvements at specific boat launches: Waterville (Map 7), Moscow (Map 12)

3. Protection of endangered waterbirds, Barrow’s goldeneye (Map 6)

4. Community river monitoring

5. Kennebec River-keeper

6. Focus on some point sources of pollution

7. Kennebec volunteer network and alert

8. Fee-free rubbish collection

9. Kennebec watershed wildlife education

10. Improve ATV enforcement in the Kennebec Corridor

11. Bingham-Embden multi-use trail (Map 10)

12. Public access on the lower east side (Maps 1-5)

13. Gravel pit remediation at specific sites (Map 9) and corridor-wide attention

14. Petroglyph protection (Map 10)

15. Sandy River bank restoration (Map 9)

16. Enhancement of Fort Halifax Park (Map 6)

17. Arnold History Trail

18. Forks Area Scenic Trails (Map 13)

19. Statten Mill site remediation, Augusta (Map 5)

20. Seven-mile Stream access point, Vassalboro (Map 5)

21. Save the Kennebec Gorge (Maps 13, 14)

22. Rail-Trail Extension, Augusta-Winslow (Maps 5 and 6)

23. Scenic views rights-of-way

24. Kennebec River map & guide

25. Restore fish spawning habitat, northern reach (Maps 9 to 11)

26. Riparian continuity (shoreline protection)

27. Messalonskee Trails Expanison (Map 6)

28. Livestock exclusion program

29. Access at Bath (Map 2)

30. Kennebec River canoe trail system (Maps 5 to 13)

31. Kennebec channel rehydration, Solon (Map 10)

32. Kennebec Estuary Collaboration (ongoing) (Maps 1 and 2)

Themes/issues particular to this meeting:

o The proposals for access points and trails can be treated as crossovers to the economic development and tourism category of actions. Trails are strong connectors of people, places, and project ideas. We expect that the Action Plan will use trail projects as a backbone on which to build both conservation and development.

o Many of the proposals for riverwide programs are seen as tasks for KRI Phase II. For example, a coordinating body is needed to start up a web site that could present information and keep groups in touch with one another.

o The issue of state and municipal zoning laws has come up repeatedly during the project. In some places shoreland zoning laws are not being enforced and in some cases towns may want to look at making local ordinances more restrictive to better protect the shoreline and perhaps make these regulations consistent within the corridor.

o Better and improved fish passage and protection/restoration of fish habitat is needed all along the corridor but some specifics were nailed down at this meeting.

o Farmland protection was not addressed at this meeting but will be an important part of the Action Plan.

o The Kennebec Corridor is home to some of Maine’s most interesting history yet it is unknown to most people. Protecting specific historic sites and creating trails with interpretive walks is a priority to many and towns may be willing to help with these projects.

5/2/2007 Thomas College Waterville

TOPIC: Economic Growth and Development in the Kennebec Corridor

Groups and individuals were asked to come to the meeting with ideas of definite specific project proposals (new projects or strengthen existing projects). The proposals received will be worked into the action plan and tied to the map work completed during the reach Committee Meetings in January.

15 people attended this meeting.

Participants were given guidance in developing their “project menus”. Proposed actions 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.

- be identified as either corridor-wide actions (e.g., marketing initiatives, linking businesses) or site-specific (e.g., investment at specific sites for hotels, restaurants, parks, etc).

Outcome of this meeting:

Project ‘menu’ from the second Action Group meeting:

1. Kennebec River Council

2. Tri-Fort touring package (Maps 1 through 6)

3. Kennebec River outfitters, corridor-wide

4. Brownfield and junkyard reclamation, Statler site (Map 5)

5. Bond Brook trail system, Augusta (Map 5)

6. Waterfront districts

7. Activity inventory, corridor-wide

8. Benton gateway revitalization (Map 7)

9. Kennebec River paddling trip (Maps 1 through 13)

10. Carp sport fishery (tidal reach) (Maps 1 through 5)

11. Cobbossee Corridor bike/pedestrian path (Map 4)

12. Continue Gardiner waterfront project (Map 4)

13. Historical tour of the Kennebec

14. Kennebec Turnpike Visitors Center (Map 4)

Themes/Issues particular to this meeting:

o The idea of product partnership where the public can be better served by businesses promoting each other. Lodge to lodge or activity to activity tours by cooperating competitors will help both businesses. This is working very well in places right here in Maine. A small but critical mass of town planners and private investors is needed to get a tour package together that includes lodging, recreation, cultural amenities and transportation if needed. The tour will likely be specific to one reach but not limited by geography. The project is defined by the players.

o Product development of activities. Conduct some promotional events to bring press and tourists to the Kennebec. An example would be an outdoor writers press event around the Kennebec fishery.

o Creation of a Kennebec Corridor visitor center to act as a clearinghouse of information. In the meantime, creating a comprehensive KRI website that answers the questions of potential tourists (and provides other services) is a good first step.

o Keep in mind the goal of drawing people to the entire region and not just one activity or location.

o Passenger rail is something that was not discussed at this meeting but should be explored in the Action Plan.

o The Maine Office of Tourism is a valuable resource. While greatly under-funded compared to most state programs, the Office’s staff can provide valuable insight. There may also be possibilities for collaboration funded by an outside source.

NEXT STEPS

In the Action Group meetings we collected some details for each of the proposed projects and names of people who volunteered themselves as contacts to develop these ideas and move the projects forward. We will be contacting these folks to develop the ideas further and see how they connect with one another and potential funding sources. The two Action Group meetings only reinforced the connection between economic development and protection of the corridor’s natural resources.

Once the Action Plan is completed over the summer, printing will take place in early fall and the document will be available by mid-November.

Josh Platt
KRI Project Director
Kennebec SWCD
9 Green Street, Rm. 307
Augusta, Me 04330
207-622-7847 x 3

Tom Remington

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