Dear Presumpscot River Supporters and Friends,
As the year comes to an end, we would like to give you an idea of what we have been up to in the past year and what lays ahead. Critically, we also will ask for your support to continue our efforts in the restoration of this beautiful and mighty river of many falls.
To begin, we have a remembrance. Dusti Faucher passed early this year. Dusti was a founder and long-time board member. in the late 90’s she was the coordinator for the FERC relicensing effort. She was a force of nature and a fierce advocate for the river. Much of what has come to pass for the river over the years has sprung from Dusti’s work and leadership. She was a rock of our team and will be greatly missed. She will however be long remembered through the flow of this river.
After a three-year Covid reprieve we again had our Annual Three Sisters Dinner. It was a great success with over 80 people in attendance. We walked to the river and falls. Then came back to amazing food, Jazz by Bess Jacques and friends. (If you ever have the opportunity to hear her please do!) there was the award presentations and a lot of celebrating and socializing.
The Chief Polin Awards for River Advocacy were presented to Landis Hudson and Robert Sanford. Landis is the Executive Director of Maine Rivers and a dedicated river advocate. Rob is the primary force behind the book “River Voices” and a past leader and faculty in the Department Environmental Sciences at USM. Earlier in the year we had a separate ceremony where Colt Bush and the Magnet Fishers along with John Chandler were presented with the Polin Award for their efforts pulling literally tons of trash from the river. They are truly amazing.
We had petitioned to the Maine DEP to reclassify the lower river from a C, the lowest and weakest classification, to a B which would offer many more protections. When this was not supported by the DEP we requested a hearing by the BEP. In a split decision it was not supported there either. Far and away, we believe the lower river meets the criteria for a B classification. We will be persistent in this effort. We believe that a well-protected river is not only better for the environment but for the all the communities it touches. While it may come with it’s costs and challenges they can and should be met. It is our legacy to future generations. We want to express a huge thanks to Friends of Casco Bay for their continued partnership in this effort and for their concern for the Presumpscot River.
It was absolutely wonderful to see school children and teachers connecting to the river. This year hundreds toured, paddled and learned about the indigenous history, colonial history and the miracle of the river’s ecology. Mostly it was good to see so many students get to experience the river by dipping their hand in its rushing water and take a first paddle across a calm stretch. Many thanks to David Butlerand Maine Path and Paddle for the expert guide support.
In addition to the education there were other efforts and events. We did some river cleanups on the stretch between Mallison and Saccarappa, hosted tours and had two Community Float and Grills. This was a great way for community members of all ages to paddle for the first time. And a huge number did! Many thanks to Portland Paddle, Discover Downtown Westbrook and Westbrook Community Policing for their support with these events.
On Indigenous People’s Day we had our second annual Saccarappa Sunrise Gathering. It was a transformative experience beautifully lead by Mihku Paul. It began at the Polin Memorial and ended with all touching the waters at Saccarappa Falls.
We welcome and are pleased to have a New Board Member, Fiona Hopper. She is a social studies teacher and the Wabenaki Studies Coordinator with the Portland School District. She has been instrumental in introducing educators and students to the river. With Brooke Teller the Science Teacher Leader and STEM Coordinator they have developed an innovative experiential curriculum called “Take Me to the River” focusing on the Presumpscot. This is much appreciated as the long-term health of the river resides in both our hands and in the hands of generations to come. Fiona will, and is, playing a big role in this effort.
Recently, the SAPPI sale of the Hydro Assets on the Presumpscot River has been completed. Sappi has sold their five remaining dams to Dichotomy Hydro LLC of Ridgefield Connecticut. We have sought from FERC that fiscal assurances be written into the transfer agreement. It is there but not as strongly as we had hoped. None the less our point has been made. We are hoping that when the triggers are met that the new owners will continue to honor the licenses. We further hope that they may see the mutual benefit of the restoration of this river of many falls.
Our long-term sights are on the next two dams up stream. Built over a hundred years ago, Malison Falls and South Windham/Little Falls Dams are extremely old facilities built on the granite ledge where once a series of magnificent falls wound through the heart of the South Windham and Little Falls Village. The dams destroy the fisheries that once included Herring, Shad, and Atlantic Salmon and impede any chance for their return. Behind the dam walls flat industrial impoundments bury the vibrant river that exists beneath them. Thus extinguishing and all the benefits they can offer the surrounding communities and home owners. Hope persists. The continued existence of these dams will be determined by the number and species of the fish coming up the river.
We also will be focusing on Education, Outreach and Public Engagement. This effort is well underway but will be built on due to the financial support of major foundations. Efforts will involve paddles, talks and walks, tours, workshops, lectures and building connections to underserved communities and school districts. We are very excited to build on all that is being done in bringing people to the river.
When our rivers thrive, the communities they touch thrive too. As always and of critical importance, FOPR will continue to hold the torch carried by Chief Polin through ongoing public engagement, and the legal, scientific, and strategic work necessary for restoring this river and its fishery. Our work is made possible by the support of all those that love this and all rivers.
We are particularly grateful for the support of Westbrook Housing, and Westbrook Development Corp, The Sewall Foundation, Onion Foundation, Davis Conservation Fund and Maine Community Foundation. As well as generous contributions by Sandy and Bruce Cort, Drew and Jeanmarie Karazin, and Robert Schneider. Much gratitude as well to all our members and supporters. Without these valued contributions we would not be able to do the work we do for the river.
We are an all-volunteer organization. As such, virtually all your support is directly applied to the FOPR mission to restore and protect water quality, river habitat and native fisheries in the Presumpscot River through stewardship, advocacy, and education, while creating recreational opportunities and instilling appreciation of the river in all the communities it touches.
If you would like to become involved with this effort, Please contact us at: info@presumpscotriver.org
Or call me at 207-329-5042 Donations can be made at: https://www.presumpscotriver.org/donate.
May a free flow be with you,
Michael Shaughnessy
President of the Board, Friends of the Presumpscot River
Friends of the Presumpscot River, P.O. Box 1474, Westbrook, Maine 04098