[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1722-S1723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE:
  S. 466. A bill to deauthorize a certain portion of the project for 
navigation, Rockland Harbor, Maine; to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works.
  Ms. SNOWE. I rise today to reintroduce five different bills important 
to my State of Maine that were included in the Water Resources 
Development Act, WRDA, last year. Unfortunately, that larger Corps of 
Engineers reauthorization legislation did not see action before the 
Senate adjourned the 108th Congress, but I am pleased that the Chairman 
of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently stated 
that WRDA is on the committee's agenda for consideration soon. My hope 
is that all five bills will once again be included in the WRDA 
legislation in the 109th Congress.
  All of my bills are non-controversial, and, importantly, are 
supported by the various townspeople and their officials, and State 
officials, who view these harbor deauthorizations and river 
improvements as engines for economic development. The bills also have 
the support of the New England District of the Corps of Engineers.

[[Page S1723]]

  The first bill, S. 462, pertains to Tenants Harbor, St. George, 
Maine. Deauthorizing the Federal Navigation Channel, FNC, would be of 
great help to the town in appropriately managing the Harbor to maximize 
mooring areas. Over the years there have been mounting problems with 
the Army Corps of Engineers' mooring permit process as people seeking 
permits for moorings that have existed for 30 years continue to be 
notified that the mooring locations are prohibited because they fall 
within the federal navigational channel.
  My second bill, S. 463, concerns Northeast Harbor in Mt. Desert, 
Maine. The language will not only allow for more recreational moorages 
and commercial activities, it will also be an economic boost to 
Northeast Harbor, which is surrounded by Acadia National Park, one of 
the nation's most visited parks--both by land and by water. The removal 
of the harbor from the FNC will allow the town to adapt to the high 
demand for moorings and will allow residents to obtain moorings in a 
more timely manner. The Harbor has now reached capacity for both 
moorings and shoreside facilities and has a waiting list of over sixty 
people, along with commercial operators who have been waiting for years 
to obtain a mooring for their commercial vessels.

  My third bill, S. 464, addresses the Union River in Ellsworth, Maine. 
The bill supports the City of Ellsworth's efforts to revitalize the 
Union River navigation channel, harbor, and shoreline. The modification 
called for in my legislation will redesignate a portion of the Union 
River as an anchorage area. This redesignation will allow for a greater 
number of moorings in the harbor without interfering with navigation 
and will further improve the City's revitalization efforts for the 
harbor area.
  My fourth bill, S. 465, will carry out a project for the mitigation 
of shore damage at Camp Ellis, Maine, attributable to the Saco River 
navigation project. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army to 
carry out the project, under the River and Harbor Act of 1968, to 
mitigate shore damage attributable to the Saco River project, waiving 
the funding cap requirement for congressional authorization set forth 
in that Act. The legislation is needed to complete the project as it 
will cost more than authorized under current law, and is the preferred 
project by non-Federal interests.
  My fifth bill, S. 466, will make the mooring of an historic 
windjammer fleet in Rockland Harbor a reality. Originally a strong 
fishing port, Rockland retains its rich marine heritage, and it is one 
of the fastest growing cities in the Midcoast area. Like many of the 
port cities on the eastern seaboard, Rockland has been forced to 
confront an assortment of financial and environmental changes, but 
happily, the city has been able to respond to these challenges in 
positive and productive ways.
  The City of Rockland has hosted the Windjammer fleet since 1955, 
earning a well deserved reputation as the Windjammer Capital of the 
World. Rockland's Windjammers are now National Historic Landmarks, and 
as such, are vitally important to both the City and the State. The 
image of The Victory Chimes, one of five vessels slated to be berthed 
at the new wharf and a vessel whose historical designation I supported, 
graces the Maine quarter. This beautiful fleet of windjammers 
symbolizes the great seagoing history of Maine as well as the sense of 
adventure that we have come to associate so closely with the American 
experience.
  Lermond Cove is perfectly situated in the Rockland Harbor to be the 
new and permanent home for these cherished vessels. The proposed 
Windjammer Wharf will also provide a safe harbor from storms, as it is 
tucked nicely near the Maine State Ferry and Department of Marine 
Resources piers.
  The State of Maine capitalizes on the visual impact of the 
Windjammers to promote tourism, working waterfronts and the natural 
beauty that distinguishes our landscape. Over $300,000 is spent yearly 
by the Maine Windjammer Association to advertise and promote these 
businesses. Deauthorizing that part of the federal navigational channel 
will clearly trigger significant and unrealized economic benefits for 
the region, providing many beneficial dollars to the local area and the 
State of Maine. According to the Longwood study, which uses a 
multiplier of 1.5, the economic impact of this spending is $3.8 million 
a year. Conservatively, the Windjammers spend over If $2.5 million a 
year in the state.
  I want to thank the New England Corps of Engineers for their help in 
drafting the language and working with the Maine Department of 
Transportation, which runs the ferry line, and also the Rockland city 
officials, the Rockland Port District, and the Captains of the 
Windjammer vessels--Mainers and businesspeople with the vision and 
commitment we need to complete Windjammer Wharf and create a permanent 
home for this historic fleet of windjammers in Rockland Harbor.
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