COUNCIL NEWS & PROJECT UPDATES

Mark Your Calendar for this Event!

June 12th, 2010 / The KENNEBEC CELEBRATION Festival / Old Fort Western and East side boat landing / Augusta, ME

Formerly known as the SPRING RUNNING Festival, the KENNEBEC CELEBRATION is a unique festival that highlights the many aspects of the revival of the Kennebec River and its improved water quality since the Clean Water Act was instituted over 30 years ago and the removal of the Edwards dam in 1999. 

Local residents will remember the era that the Kennebec was virtually a dying river that was laden with pollution and was a dumping ground for mills and human waste for decades. To say that the river wasn't a pleasant environment to recreate on or around would be an understatement.  Fish populations declined, and birds of prey were becoming scarce.  However, the efforts of environmentalists and concerned citizens have turned this river around and now the Kennebec has become a success story nationwide due to its rapid improvement in water quality. 

Every spring thousands of migratory fish return to the Kennebec to spawn and the river herring populations have started to increase.  As a result of the fish returning, we are now experiencing the return of an improved aquatic ecosystem as well as several families of bald eagles, ospreys and even a few golden eagles as well as an abundance of wildlife along the river's shores.  Recreational activity has increased and we are now able to enjoy the river from Merrymeeting Bay up to Waterville.  

This drastic turnaround is a triumph worth celebrating, therefore, the festival committee has been working hard to put together a program that includes music, conservation education, a Native American program to teach about the cultural history of the region, free tours of Old Fort Western to learn about early colonial life, a canoe and kayak expedition from Fort Halifax in Winslow to Old Fort Western, lots of Maine-made crafts, food, and lots more! 

It is the committee's hopes, as well as Time & Tide's, to educate people young and old about the importance of the river to local communities; its impact on the economic vitality of Maine; and to illustrate to the public the multitude of animals, birds, and fish that have flourished as a result of the improved aquatic ecosystem so that future generations will grow to love and appreciate this beautiful resource we have in our back yards!

For More Information about the Kennebec Celebration go to the website:
www.kennebeccelebration.com

Below are some photos from last year's festival.

 Photo: Boat Launch Area                                Photo: Alewife Harvesters of Maine

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

Time & Tide's Council Meetings are open to the public.  State and local Legislators, County Commissioners, Public Officials and the general public are encouraged to attend the meetings.

Next Meeting is Scheduled For:

Wednesday April 7th, 09:30am - 12:30pm. The next Council meeting will be held at the USDA Service Center conference room on 21 Enterprise Drive in Augusta

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person but would like to participate by telephone (teleconferencing), please notify the office 5 business days prior to the scheduled meeting.

To arrange for telephone conferencing, please Contact Us.

NEXT MEETING - AGENDA

The agenda will be posted as soon as it is available.

OTHER RC&D AREA NEWS

To see what is happening in other RC&D Areas throughout Maine, check out the sites below:

Threshold to Maine RC&D Area        (covers York, Cumberland, Oxford & Franklin Counties)

Heart of Maine RC&D Area                    (covers Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot and a very small portion of northern Hancock and Washington Counties)

Down East RC&D Area                                  (covers Hancock & Washington Counties)

St. John Aroostook RC&D Area        (covers Aroostook and a small portion of eastern Penobscot and northern Washington Counties).  To find out what is happening in the St. John Aroostook RC&D Area please contact their office.  Contact info