[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 91 (Thursday, June 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           YORK RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2011

  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

[[Page E1176]]

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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