Voices For The Future
Of The Damariscotta River

DRA River Conference Meets Capacity
Story date: 03/14/2007 Lincoln County News

The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) announced that the Brooke Hall capacity of 70 has been reached more than a week before the March 15 date of the Voices for the Future of the Damariscotta River Conference. Mark DesMeules, Executive Director of the DRA said, “The interest in this conference about the present and future of our beloved river resource is indeed outstanding. It points to a community with a willingness to learn and to speak about their vision.”

Special arrangements are being made to extend the public comment period until March 31. Comments can be submitted by mail to the DRA or by e-mail to dra@draclt.org with the title “Voices-Comments” in the subject line. In addition to your name, place of residence, and contact information, please include as you see fit any relevant context for your comments, for example how you use or enjoy the river. Comments can also be submitted by mail to DRA, P.O. Box 333, Damariscotta, ME 04543, Attn: River Summit

The organizers are also arranging to videotape the speakers and copies will be made available on disk at no cost.

As reported in the Lincoln County News of 1/25/2007:

The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) is pleased to announce Voices for the Future of the Damariscotta River - an opportunity for anyone who has an interest in the present and future of the Damariscotta River to share their vision. On March 15 at the Darling Marine Center, Walpole, from 9- 3, Voices for the Future of the Damariscotta River will be held. This will be a public forum to hear from all members of the public about their view on the existing condition of the Damariscotta River and how to preserve its beauty and productivity in a balanced context as DRA looks to the next decade. There will be no fee to attend and lunch will be provided at no cost to all participants. Introductory information will be presented by the Department of Marine Resources and the Attorney General's office and a marine ecologist will speak to the existing ecological context of the river.

Dana Morse representing Maine Sea Grant, reflected on the public process ahead by saying, “An open door is a good thing, and this opportunity presents an open door through which people can talk about their hopes and wishes for the future of the river.”

Kenneth Maguire, President of the Gulf of Maine Foundation added, “The Damariscotta River is part of the living laboratory which the Gulf of Maine Foundation makes available to school classes”. Every year hundreds of Maine school children have hands on experiences at the Darling Marine Center's laboratories.

DRA wants to hear from clammers, lobstermen, aquacul-turists, recreational users, fishing guides, kayak and canoe guide services, land owners, hunters and fishermen, anyone who wishes to speak. All comments will be recorded and will become part of the public record, from which a follow-up planning discussion, to be announced at a later date, will be held to develop specific recommendations, based on the initial public input.

If unable to attend, those interested may offer their comments in two ways; mail comments to the DRA by March 7 (Damariscotta River Association P.O. Box 333, Damariscotta Maine 04543), or use the instructions on the website www.draclt.org to submit comments.

The agenda for the day will also posted on the DRA website and subsequent news articles will be coming out with additional details. At any time, you can call the DRA at 563-1393 if you have any questions.

The sponsors of Voices for the Future of the Damariscotta River include the Damariscotta River Association, Maine Sea Grant, Gulf of Maine Foundation, Maine Coastal Program, The Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund and the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce.