York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, the York River in Maine is the cultural and economic heart of the York River watershed community. Standing on the banks of the river, I heard from community members about what the river means to them and how they have pulled together to protect this waterway. I also heard from the community about how the York River needs additional protections from increasing development pressures. The bill that I am introducing today commissions a feasibility study which will provide a comprehensive overview of the river and will evaluate whether the York River qualifies as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River within the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Watching two York River lobstermen tie up their boat, I wouldn't have guessed that the York River area is on the northern fringe of the Boston megalopolis in terms of population and development pressures. The towns of York, Eliot, Kittery, and South Berwick recognize that without additional knowledge and management tools, the river's unique cultural, recreational, commercial, and natural resources will be threatened. Support for the York River Study Bill was the result of a partnership between the local environmental community, a local land trust, support from the state, and, most importantly, support from an entire community of Mainers with the foresight to recognize the value of the river to the business community.

The York River is located in southern Maine and runs 11.25 miles from the York Pond in Eliot to the mouth of the river harbor in the town of York. On its way from the land to the sea, this river passes by farms, old mills that date back to the 1600s, wharves and warehouses from the 1700s that tell the story of Maine's rich fishing heritage, public boat launches, working waterfronts, and recreational spots for lunching, fishing and kayaking. There have been concerted and successful efforts over the past ten years by the York Land Trust and the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea Conservation Initiative to protect land in the watershed. These efforts have included preserving historic waterfront access, preventing the subdivision of farms, and restoring habitat.

Listed as a Priority Coastal Watershed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the York River watershed encompasses a wide diversity of habitats and ecological communities that support species including the wild brook trout, the Atlantic Salmon, the New England Cottontail, and Maine endangered species, such as the Eastern Box Turtle. Birders come to the York River to see exceptional varieties of birds including the threatened Harlequin Duck, which is seldom seen from shore anywhere in Maine except York County, as well as other species that call the York River home, like great blue herons, bald eagles and ospreys.

The York River is also a classroom for young environmentalists--a place where students actively learn about the values and ecology of the river habitat through forward-looking environmental curricula developed by the public schools. In addition to its value as a natural setting for young and old learners alike, the river also serves as a recreational center. The waterways of the York River provide fishing grounds for residents and visitors who fish for striped bass and flounder, and the river is increasingly used for sailing, canoeing, and kayaking.

But, the York River is more than a beautiful place with abundant natural resources. It is also a place where people are making their living. Small fishing operations carry on trades that have been practiced on the river for hundreds of years. Sections of the York River are nationally recognized historic working waterfronts, and continue to provide access to the river for water-dependent businesses. Through preservation of historic waterfront access points such as Sewall's Bridge, the York River community has made it possible for local lobstermen to continue to engage in a trade that has shaped and continues to define the spirit of Maine. And, the York River watershed is a place where farmers carry on Maine tradition, growing pumpkins, potatoes and other produce that keep Maine communities healthy. These farmers face the same development pressures that waterfront businesses do, and the York River community has made it possible for farms like Highland Farm to keep providing sustainable local food sources.

Visitors come to the York River to enjoy its unique recreational, scenic, and historic values, and the York River community welcomes them and recognizes that preserving and maintaining this vibrant landscape is of critical economic importance. The York River community's investments in conservation have been substantial and have resulted in the preservation of natural and historical aspects of the river that draw visitors from throughout Maine and throughout the nation. This study bill will be a vital means of continuing to support these important efforts so that the York River can remain a community resource for future generations.

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