Groups welcome public to visioning sessions about Presumpscot River watershed future

On Monday Feb. 2, a major visioning session concerning the health, restoration, and future uses of the Presumpscot River and its watershed will be conducted.

Visioning sessions will be held on Monday, Feb. 2
and an online survey is also available to be filled
out regarding the health, restoration and future
for the Presumpscot River and its watershed.
FILE PHOTO

Organizers say that this is an opportunity for thefuture public to learn about and offer input toward the future needs and directions of the Presumpscot River and its watershed.

Specific topic areas to be discussed include Water Quality; Fish and Wildlife Habitat; Community Development Potentials; Current and Potential Recreational Uses; and Free Flows and Connectivity.

Participation in the visioning sessions are free and open to the public.

The Presumpscot River and its streams and tributaries, was once known for its many falls, abundant sea-run fishery and varied natural scenic landscapes. Since the mid-18th century and colonization, it has been increasingly industrialized until most of its length was dammed for power, its waters ran brown with human and industrial waste, and its once great fish migrations had been killed off.

In the last 50 years with industrial changes and the impact of the Clean Water Act the river has begun to heal. Still, little of its full potential as a natural and community asset is met or even recognized. A growing number of people and organizations are seeking to create a shared vision for a more free-flowing natural Presumpscot River, from Sebago Lake to where it meets the sea at Casco Bay, with more sea-run fish, cleaner water, and an abundance of nature-based recreation and are seeking public input about building upon this vision.

This event is co-hosted by Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Friends of the Presumpscot River, Friends of Casco Bay, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Sebago Clean Waters, the Town of Windham, Maine, and Trout Unlimited.

Two sessions will be offered Monday Feb. 2 at the Westbrook Community Center, Spruce Room, 426 Bridge St, Westbrook. The first session runs from 2:30 to 5 p.m. with the second session running from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Registrants and those unable to attend are highly encouraged to complete an online survey which will be available through the end of February.

To complete the survey, go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehlEZ79vG73Ht81heQPWyvNemn8Ef0eNgXZ4FeLb_jxOMLqg/viewform

To register to attend one of the visioning sessions, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/presumpscot-2040-we-want-to-hear-from-you-tickets-1977297577281

The visioning sessions are supported through funds from Casco Bay Estuary Partnership in collaboration with Friends of the Presumpscot River, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Friends of Casco Bay, Sebago Trout Unlimited, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and local municipalities.

For further details, contact Michael Shaughnessy at [email protected] or call 207-329-5042. <