Kennebec River Initiative Phase II Begins

By Josh Platt

Over the past year and a half, the Kennebec Soil & Water Conservation District has been involved with a regional planning effort for the entire Kennebec River Corridor that spans from Moosehead Lake to the sea. This project is being completed in phases with Phase I finishing up early this spring. The Kennebec River Initiative Action Plan has been completed and can be viewed at the District website. This plan contains project proposals for implementation that will fit the character of the Kennebec and fall into one of several program categories.

Phase Two, KRI Coordination will coordinate implementation of the KRI Action Plan through the creation of the Kennebec River Council. The Council will serve as a convener/facilitator/coordinator to link new and existing partners working on projects in the Kennebec Corridor.
River Access Improvement will address access to the river through improvements in existing boat launch facilities and establishing new access points. The Action Plan contains 10 proposals for new or improved boating access sites at specific locations. This program also includes working to better promote the recreational opportunities found in the Kennebec River Corridor.
Kennebec Trails will assist in the connection of more places in the Kennebec Corridor through a series of land and water trails. KRI will assist municipalities and trail groups in acquiring, building and stewarding their trails; and assist in promoting trails to visitors, residents and vacation companies and linking these routes to waterfront development and broader regional planning.
Kennebec River Protection & Restoration program includes projects that will promote and assist in riverfront and stream restoration and protection through land acquisition, easements, and voluntary landowner programs. Specifically these projects should include public input, increase or maintain access where appropriate and utilize partnerships among conservation and other groups. Restoration of valuable fish and wildlife habitats is a large component of this program and the development of a Kennebec River fisheries management plan is a critical first step.
Community-Based Waterfront Development program will help revitalize the downtowns of municipalities in the Kennebec Corridor through site redevelopment and increased investment in high quality public amenities. Projects will need to have strong community support and control, fit the character of the river, bring revenue or jobs to the local economy and utilize regional coordination (where possible), linking areas up and down the river corridor.
Marketing and Tourism program will help promote the Kennebec Corridor as a tourist destination and help coordinate recreational and touring activities. Initial program work will include an inventory of activities and attractions to help attract tourists and help the hospitality and touring businesses plan tours and outings. Another priority will be to convene a group of key service providers to develop some guiding packages. Model this effort on the "cooperative competition" by the large resorts in the North who operate in this way for snowmobile touring.

Phase II has begun and KRI is working on two broad objectives — to put in place an "Institutional Framework" that supports the "Project Development" work described in the KRI Action Plan and additional projects sponsored by interested parties that match up with the goals of the KRI. In essence, there will be projects driven by KRI staff that include many partners and other projects driven by groups where KRI will be a partner and provide services where needed. The KCSWCD website provides a detailed list of the Phase II services available as well as the entire report and information on ordering the DVD produced for the Kennebec River Initiative.

Read about Phase I.

For information about any of our conservation projects please contact Dale Finseth at 622-7847, x 3 or check our website.

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Kennebec River Initiative Phase II Begins