Kennebec River bill
wins Senate approval
By STEVE CARTWRIGHT
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Wednesday, June 13, 2007

AUGUSTA -- A bill to protect the shoreline of the Kennebec River between Augusta and Waterville was passed by the Senate on Tuesday and now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.

The bill is aimed at keeping quarrying and gravel pit excavations away from the riverbank.

It creates a 100-foot-wide buffer between the high water mark and any quarrying operations, according to its sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro. She called it an "environmentally balanced" policy.

"From the Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta to the Hathaway Mill in Waterville, the people of Kennebec County are reinvesting their time and effort into their local waterfronts and the Kennebec River," Mitchell said. "This is a victory for all of us."

Bill MacDonald, executive director of Hallowell-based Maine Rivers, an environmental advocacy group, said Mitchell's bill is good news.

He said protecting the riparian area is important, especially as traditional fish runs return to the Kennebec. "The river is coming back," he said.

"Our state and locally elected leaders clearly see the tremendous economic value of a restored and protected river," he said.

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1-10 of 10 comments:

RodAgain of Augusta, ME
Jun 13, 2007 6:22 PM
Look at all that undeveloped shore frontage along the river. There should be all kinds of recreation, boat docks and marinas all along the river banks. It's our water highway from Bath to Waterville.report abuse
Possum of Manchester, ME
Jun 13, 2007 10:00 AM
While we're at it, let's stop building anything on any waterfront property. report abuse
MikeH of Litchfield, ME
Jun 13, 2007 9:50 AM
Brian, I actually agree with you, I was just playing to dumb conservative!report abuse
Flyboy of Winthrop, ME
Jun 13, 2007 9:48 AM
How are the owners of the property impacted by this bill going to be compensated for the loss of value?report abuse
BRIAN of Winslow, ME
Jun 13, 2007 9:42 AM
A 100ft wide buffer for quarry operations along the banks of a river is a great policy. I don't think any quarrys operations are going to go bellyup because of it. After making many trips down the river it seems most operations respect that distance anyway.

The overall econmic value of a clean, thriving river far outway the value of gravel.report abuse
MikeH of Litchfield, ME
Jun 13, 2007 9:12 AM
Hey thanks conservative, here I am trying to fight your fight! But no you side with the liberals in making this state a national park and reducing the land available for business. Maybe you should change your name to pinko liberal.report abuse
conservative of Augusta, ME
Jun 13, 2007 8:22 AM
Your employer is responsible for giving you health benefits and a company vehicle? Let's make it homeowners insurance, long-term care insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, property tax reimbursement while your at it. Employers are leaving the State because they can't afford the "demands" from the employees. If everyone was responsible for their own insurance, competition would increase and rates would decrease.

Some people (MikeH) just don't get it.report abuse
MikeH of Litchfield, ME
Jun 13, 2007 8:15 AM
Can I get a job with the earth? Does the earth offer a good benefits package like health insurance and a company vehicle?report abuse
SMC of Richmond, ME
Jun 13, 2007 7:15 AM
Earth is what sustains us as people - This is NOT about taking jobs away, it's about leaving something for our kids - if that's liberal in your eyes SO BE IT! report abuse
MikeH of Litchfield, ME
Jun 13, 2007 7:03 AM
Oh boy, those liberals in Augusta are taking away jobs again!report abuse

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