1.1 STUDY BACKGROUND
1.2 STUDY GOALS
1.3 GENERAL FINDINGS
1.4 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1.4.1 Policies for Managing the Bay
1.4.2 Recommended State High Priority Conservation Areas,
Acquisition, and Easement
1.4.3 A Merrymeeting Bay Nature.Center
Merrymeeting Bay is the largest
freshwater tidal bay on the eastern seaboard north of Chesapeake Bay.
Formed by the confluence of six rivers, including two of Maine's
largest, it is also the United States' northernmost major stopover on
the Atlantic Flyway and thus hosts thousands of ducks, geese, and
other migrating birds each spring and fall. Statewide it is
acknowledged as a duck hunters' and bird watchers' paradise alike.
The Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Black Duck, Northern Bald Eagle,
Goldeneye, Yellowlegs, Wood Duck and Teal are all familiar sights to
residents and visitors of the Bay.
As an important fishery habitat, the Bay also hosts large numbers of
winter smelt which are sought by ice fishermen along the Eastern,
Abagadasset, and Cathance Rivers. Once supporting substantial runs of
anadromous fish, including the Atlantic Salmon, Atlantic and
Shortnosed Sturgeon (Maine's only rare and endangered species,
according to the U.S. Department of the Interior), Striped Bass,
Alewives, and Shad; the Bay now sees only remnant runs of these due
to the obstruction of tributary rivers and streams by numerous dams
and pollution. Yet the Bay remains of great interest to fishery
management specialists who look to the day when the Bay and its
tributaries can be restored and once again support significant
anadromous fish runs.
Surrounding the Bay is a landscape characteristic of old New England:
small town centers separated by large open spaces. A rich cultural
heritage is evidenced in the historic churches and stately mansions
that remain as reminders of more prosperous times when the
shipbuilding and the ice industries flourished. Old ways and
traditions persist-fourth of July parades and barbecues; old time
fairs; town meetings; a farmer plowing his field with oxen.
For a century, the towns surrounding the Bay have been witness to
little economic activity, and populations have grown slowly, if at
all. Yet times are changing. Population trends statewide indicate
that a new surge of in-migration is occurring. Maine as a whole
gained in population by 5.5 percent between 1970 and 1974, as
compared to the 2.5 percent increase for the preceding decade. In
Sagadahoc County there was a 9.4 percent increase between 1970 and
1974. The communities around the Bay have seen this reflected in a
rising rate of new home construction. Some fear that they will become
bedroom communities to Bath, Brunswick, or Augusta; while others
acknowledge that they already are.
Another force which threatens to change the area is the construction
of Interstate 95 to the west of the Bay. At its completion, projected
for 1976, this new highway will link the western Bay area to the
major state highway corridor, making it regionally accessible and
adding impetus to growth and development. In the past, the Bay
hasbeen a "backwater," out of the mainstream of activity that is
served by the Maine Turnpike and Route 1. The impact of this new
highway, combined with recent population trends, could be
considerable. If left unguided, the new growth could destroy many of
the values that now distinguish the Bay as a unique cultural and
natural resource.
An awareness of the need to take positive steps to plan for and guide
future development around the Bay, to protect its natural assets from
abuse or destruction, has emerged from both local and state
interests, and now culminates in this report.
The State Departments of Marine Resources and Inland Fisheries and
Game have long noted the significance of the Bay to the state hunters
and fishermen. In 1973 an independent study on the conservation
priorities of the coast of Maine was issued by the Smithsonian
Institution's Center for Natural Areas, conducted by the planning
firm of Reed & D'Andrea in South Gardiner, Maine. The report,
entitled Conservation Priorities Plan of the Coast of Maine,
identified 32 areas of priority for conservation. Merrymeeting Bay
was included, and later chosen as the number one priority for the
coast of Maine by state and federal officials due to its unique
natural features and the imminent construction of Interstate 95.
A preliminary study of the Bay was then undertaken as part of the
Conservation Priorities Plan and a citizens' group organized called
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay. Ford Foundation monies were obtained for
the conservation commissions of the surrounding tows to be utilized
in conservation planning.
In 1974, the State Department of Conservation initiated a thorough
study of Merrymeeting Bay under contract to Reed & D'Andrea as a
follow up to the preliminary study conducted under the auspices of
the Smithsonian. This report represents the results of that
study.
Simultaneous to the start of this study was a renewed interest by Bay
area residents in joining together to actively participate in efforts
to plan for the Bay. A primary concern of this study then became the
fostering of such a group. In March of 1975 the Friends of
Merrymeeting Bay became an established non-profit scientific,
literary, and educational corporation with an elected steering
committee composed of 17 members representing as many of the various
interests associated with the Bay as possible (fish and game clubs,
shoreland property owners, conservation organizations, farmers,
foresters, businessmen, fishermen, snowmobile clubs, etc). This group
has been actively involved in the conduct and review of the study as
have numerous state agencies, town officials, and regional planning
agencies. Most, or all of their suggestions have been incorporated
throughout the evolution of this text. The full findings of the
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay have been included as Appendix D.
The overall goal of this study is to propose means to ensure that
sound conservation and development policies are enacted for the
Merrymeeting Bay area. Within this broad goal, other more specific
goals are inherent:
1.To develop and apply an ecological planning method to the Bay which
will reveal a comprehensible system of opportunities and constraints
for future development.
2.To further define socioeconomic factors which will enlighten the
Bay residents and state agencies on the prospects for future growth
and the need for policies to cope with this anticipated growth.
3.To develop broad policy recommendations that will result in
consistent land use management by state and local governments.
4.To recommend specific land use actions to state and local
governments based on the policies and constraints developed
above.
5.To suggest legal and planning tools necessary to put the land use
recommendations into effect.
6.To suggest institutional changes or innovations needed or desirable
to further the recommendations of the study.
7.To ensure adequate citizens' input and direction through the
establishment of an active citizens' group and to encourage a long
term citizens' involvement in the future of the Bay.
1.The Merrymeeting Bay area is a unique natural and historic area
of state level significance.
2.Growth pressures are increasing in the surrounding towns as a
reflection of new population trends in the state as well as the
region.
3.Rapid growth in the Bay area is imminent as I-95 nears
completion.
4. Uncontrolled growth is inevitably destructive of natural and
social values.
5. Observance of ecological principles en avert the destruction of
natural values.
6. Undeveloped land is abundant in the towns surrounding Merrymeeting
Bay and much of it is lacking in natural resource development
constraints.
7. Even guided by ecological principles, growth can result in a
costly sprawl pattern.
8. Residents of the Bay towns appreciate and wish to keep the
rural/small town atmosphere that characterizes them today.
9. The area can absorb the prospective new growth without detrimental
effects if towns adopt sound controls protecting both natural and
social values.
10. Planned growth is less costly than unplanned growth.
11. Protection of the Bay's cherished values can be accomplished
through a combination of state, local, and private efforts.
12. Ultimately the initiative for conserving the character of the Bay
rests with the citizens who live around the area and with those who
use the Bay.
1. This study shall be employed as the basis for a coordinated
series of actions by state and local agencies, public and private, to
protect and enhance the quality of life around Merrymeeting Bay.
2. Future plans for the Bay should be based on sound planning
principles and reflect the desires of the residents. To this end
state agencies should make every effort to inform organized citizens'
groups and town officials of any proposed activities that will affect
the Bay area and solicit their opinions (groups such as friends of
Merrymeeting Bay, Inc., and Merrymeeting Audubon Society as well as
town official including selectmen, planning board members, and
conservation commissioners).
3. Although the primary recreational needs for the Merrymeeting Bay
region include swimming, boating, camping, hiking, picnicking, and
nature trails; the immediate Bay area is not suitable for many of
these. Such pursuits as picnicking, scenic driving, hiking, riding
trails, and nature observation are suitable, but only in limited
amounts, while recreational camping and swimming are not. Therefore,
the state should develop, with substantial public input, facilities
geared to the local residents rather than to tourists. Hiking and
camping needs will best be met in the Cathance River area.
4. Merrymeeting Bay is a prime waterfowl habitat by State Inland
Fisheries and Game standards. To insure that the Bay remains suitable
for hosting large concentrations of migrating birds, the state should
take steps to avoid incompatible uses in the Bay itself and also
along its shoreland, This implies that the Bay should be a top
priority for state and local land management program and used as a
testing grounds for new innovative programs designed to conserve
wildlife resources while allowing for and capitalizing on new growth.
The possibilities range from instituting educational and service
programs for landowners on wildlife management techniques, to control
of motorboating through access controls and the prohibition of lead
gunshot. (It should be noted that the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay do
not concur with the recommendation regarding lead gunshot. See
Appendix D). State land management programs should provide incentives
for local involvement and follow the priorities detailed in this
report to be geared to compliment town level controls.
5. The protection of freshwater non-tidal wetlands which drain into
the Bay is key to the improvement and maintenance of water quality in
the Bay as well as to the maintenance of wildlife values, regulation
of storm water runoff (flooding) and maintenance of groundwater
supplies. Like coastal wetlands, these ought to be protected by state
law. The first step in understanding the need for such protection
would be a greater understanding of the role of freshwater wetlands
to the natural and dependent human cycle. The University system
should be encouraged to undertake research which could supply the
rationale for proper land management of this vital resource.
6. The Site Location Law should be used to prevent erosion and
sedimentation of the Bay through strong restrictions and guidelines
on construction activities.
7. Sand and gravel operations should be subject to the Mining
Reclamation Act as well as the Site Location Law (currently only the
latter applies), given their potential adverse aesthetic and
environmental effects. Furthermore, state operations should no longer
be exempt from regulation and strict standards for their reclamation
ought to be adopted.
Agricultural activities in the Bay area are an integral part of its
distinctive character. Furthermore, relatively large acreages of
prime agricultural soils are found in the Bay surrounds, some of
which are under-utilized. The state in conjunction with local
governments should devise methods of land management which conserve
the rich soils of the Bay area. This could be accomplished through
the purchase of development rights to these lands so that they are
not irreversible committed to development as growth pressures
continue to increase in the area.
9, The state should encourage towns to achieve a degree of
self-sufficiency through' the maintenance of a balanced
community--one including places of work and recreation as well as
residence--as this promotes a more efficient and equitable use of
resources. I-95 presents an opportunity to achieve this and the state
should assist the towns in attracting and developing light industry
or business through additional programs similar to those available
through the Maine Guarantee Authority.
10. Energy conservation should be encouraged by state level programs
to educate builders and homeowners on how best to utilize favorable
climatic conditions such as those found in Merrymeeting Bay in the
siting and designing of homes.
Furthermore, the state should adopt policies which would protect the
Bay from a proliferation of power plants and transmission lines which
would destroy the quality of the Bay, cause an unnecessary visual
intrusion, and unnecessarily consume valuable land resources.
11. Towns should utilize their zoning and subdivision powers to the
utmost to guide future growth away from ecologically intolerant areas
(floodplains, soils unsuited to septic systems, aquifer recharge
areas, steep slopes, wetlands, etc.).
12. Towns should attempt to guide growth further in order to avoid
costly sprawl which could destroy cherished historic and cultural
values through subdivision, building code and zoning powers.
13. Towns should realize the limits of zoning and subdivision
regulation and consider other techniques for guiding growth such as
placement of sewers and utilities in areas where development is to be
encouraged and acquisition of fragile areas or areas of high
development potential (to be transferred later to developers). Use of
monies raised at annual barbecues and holiday festivals towards
acquiring these lands is one way to accomplish this. Bowdoinham
presents an example by dedicating money raised at the Fourth of July
festival to acquiring recreational lands.
14. Finally, towns should seek to coordinate planning efforts towards
the achievement of regional goals (i.e., the protection of the Bay
from pollution and sedimentation through uniform subdivision review
and consistent shoreland zoning; establishment of area-wide solid
waste disposal systems; the designation of scenic roads and
implementation of sign and building controls along these; etc.).
Regional goals could be established through public hearings conducted
by the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay and with technical assistance from
the Mid Coast Regional Planning Commission.
The following briefly describes the parcels recommended as high
priority conservation areas by this study. They are aimed at
conserving recreational opportunities for the region, protecting the
most ecologically vulnerable areas around the Bay, and promoting the
continued use of the Bay for farming and wildlife management, both of
which could be jeopardized by rapid development. New methods of
protection for these areas is not always readily evident.
Traditionally, acquisition has been the major land management tool
employed by the state to protect valuable resources; however, there
is not always the money available to protect these resources, and
other means of protection are necessary. This study is suggesting
areas that are important for the long term conservation of
Merrymeeting Bay, and although specific methods are suggested, we are
more concerned with the area being conserved, than with the method of
conservation. A map showing the approximate
size and location of the recommended areas accompanies the text.
The final chapter of this report details other recommended state and
town actions with more detailed maps.
1. The State Bureau of Parks and Recreation should consider the
acquisition of large undeveloped acreages in the upper Cathance River
area for camping and hiking, Approximately
1,6Q0 acres are contained in rather large parcels ranging from over
600 acres to 35 acres. Lands to the north of this area should be
studied as alternatives before any action is taken on this
recommendation, however, as this study was limited in scope to areas
defined by Map No. 3.
2. An additional 700-800 acres in Topsham along the Middle Cathance
River should be considered for acquisition by Parks and Recreation
for canoeing, nature trails, hiking, and horseback riding.
3. Easements along the southern bank of the Cathance River from
Cathance Road to Bowdoinham village should be sought by Parks and
Recreation as a linear extension of the trails originating in the
tract described above.
4. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Game should acquire lands
between two presently state-owned properties bordering the Muddy
River in Topsham to give a 500-acre tract for wildlife management and
preservation of vital wetlands.
5. Parcels adjacent to the State Game Management Area in Bowdoinham
should be acquired by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game to
protect scenic and wildlife values. Parcels include approximately 200
additional acres some of which could be acquired at less than fee
through easements (those smaller parcels [5-38 acres] east of
Center Point Road).
6. Through easements or acquisition, the State Department of
Transportation should acquire the land adjacent to the Cathance River
mouth and east of Route 24 in Bowdoinham to develop as a scenic
turnout and picnic area overlooking Center Point on the Bay. Two
parcels are viewed as possibilities-- a 23-acre parcel or 16-acre
parcel just to the south.
7. As an alternative a 16-acre parcel further south on Route 24
overlooking Pleasant point could be purchased by the department of
Transportation or protected by local interests for a scenic turnout
and picnic area.
8. Large forested acreages between Pork Point Road and the
Abagadasset River in Bowdoinham should be protected by some form of
land management or be acquired by the State Departments of
Agriculture and Inland Fisheries and Game and leased back to farmers
for production of goose feed and agricultural crops. This could
involve up to 300 acres.
9. Two parcels on either side of Route 24 opposite the southern tip
of Swan Island offer an opportunity for a combined scenic
overlook/picnic area, trail system and access to the Abagadasset
River. Conservation of this area should be considered for joint
acquisition by the Department of Transportation and Bureau of Parks
and Recreation , or through local initiative. A total of L24 acres
are involved.
10. The area south of Richmond from the railroad to the Kennebec
River adjacent to San Island should be considered for conservation
through some form of Land management for goose management and farming
as second priority to Abagadasset- Pork Point area.
11. The State Department of Agriculture should consider acquiring
development rights in the Green Point area in Dresden if the town
fails to zone this area "agricultural land."
12. Two parcels along Route 128 in Dresden offer the opportunity for
needed access on the eastern side of the Bay; the northern parcel has
shore frontage on Cork Cove and should be acquired by Parks and
Recreation for development of boat access (designed for hunters,
fishermen, and canoeists); the southern parcel should be considered
for joint acquisition by the Department of Transportation and Bureau
of Parks and Recreation for development of a scenic turnout/picnic
area.
14. Lines Island, Ram Island, Crawford Island, and Woods Island
should he considered for acquisition by the Department of Inland
Fisheries and Game for wildlife management or similar protection
through easements or some other form of land management.
This study has concluded that while Merrymeeting Bay is not suited to intensive recreational use, it is ideally suited for an educational/scientific center. The development of a nature center which can at once, offer the regional population an observation point from which to view the migrating birds each spring and fall and also serve as a needed educational tool relating to the public the significance of the Bay and reinforcing state and local protective program and actions, is a primary recommendation of this study.
