York River Study Bill

The York River is an incredibly important resource for York County, not only supporting commercial fisheries, tourism, and other businesses, but also serving a critical role in the character of these communities and the lives of the people who use and enjoy it.  In a process initiated by many partners in the community, I introduced legislation to study the river for possible inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, a federal designation that would help protect the resource for the future while attracting more investments to the area.  I'm proud that the House passed the bill in 2012, but companion legislation was not voted on in the Senate before the end of the 112th Congress.  I've reintroduced the bill for the 113th Congress and the bipartisan support it received last year makes me optimistic that it will move forward.  Please stay tuned to this webpage for updates on its progress.

Best,
Chellie

12/03/14: York River bill closer to final passage

House and Senate leaders have agreed to include legislation originally written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree in a major defense spending bill that is expected to pass Congress this week. Pingree's bill—the York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act—would create a 3-year study to determine if the river could be included in the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic River program. Being included in the program would bring attention, tourism and federal funding to the river to protect its resources and stimulate the local economy.

The bill passed the US House unanimously in 2012, but the Senate failed to vote on the measure. Pingree reintroduced the bill in 2013 and it again passed the House. Meanwhile Senator Angus King introduced companion legislation earlier this year that has now been included in the National Defense Authorization Act, which will be voted on in both the House and Senate this week.

"The York River is a special place that is vital to the ecology and economy of the region," Pingree said. "Protecting it is important for the environment but federal designation could also bring more investment and more attention to the river."

The study, in conjunction with community input, would determine if the river is eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service.

"This has really been a community effort," Pingree said. "The people who live and work around the York River have worked hard to get us this far, and, thanks to the leadership of Senator King, this effort is about to take another step forward."

King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where the defense bill that comes up for a vote this week was written.

If, based on the study and community support, the York River is designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River, it makes it more likely that federal funding will come to the area for activities like preserving and restoring fish and wildlife habitat, for example.

The study would find whether the river merits one of the designations under the Wild and Scenic River program: wild, scenic, or recreational. Then community members would be able to offer their input on whether the designation should move forward. 

June 13, 2014: National Park Service preliminary analysis out today says York River would be good candidate for Wild and Scenic status

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today welcomed preliminary findings from the National Park Service that the York River likely meets criteria for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and that a full study would be productive and appropriate. Pingree requested the preliminary survey and introduced the legislation required to fund a full study, which has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.

“What the survey did was basically look at the different criteria of the Wild and Scenic Rivers program and see, in a general sense, if the York River would have a chance of meeting them. Unequivocally, the report said yes,” Pingree said. “The findings confirm exactly what community groups have been telling me about the river’s value to the area’s economy, environment, and character. This is an important step as we continue to work to get the full study bill passed by Congress.”

Read more here ...

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March 4, 2014: Houses passes Pingree's York River Bill

The U.S. House tonight unanimously passed a bill written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree that could lead to a new federal designation and federal investment in the York River. The bill—the York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act—would create a multi-year study to determine if the river could be included in the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic River program. Being included in the program would bring attention, tourism and federal funding to the river to protect it's resources and stimulate the local economy.

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"The most important factor is that many of the hardworking people in this part of the state depend on the York River to support their jobs. The York River is a place where people go to work.”

Pingree’s bill calls for a multi-year study of the York River. The study, in conjunction with community input, would determine if the river is eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service.

The House unanimously passed Pingree's bill in 2012, but because the Senate failed to take it up, Pingree had to resubmit the bill again last year. This time, Senator Angus King has introduced a similar piece of legislation in the Senate.

Read more here ...

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May 23, 2013: Pingree reintroduces York River Bill; would lead to federal investment, protect local environment

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is reintroducing a bill today that would authorize a study of the York River, an important step toward a special federal designation that would lead to federal investments to protect the economic and environmental value of the river.

"I've heard from lots of people in the community who use the river—fishermen, hunters, recreational boaters—and they've all made it clear that they want to recognize and protect the unique benefits and characteristics of the York River. And giving it a special federal designation is a great way to do that."

Read more here ...

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June 7, 2012: House unanimously passes Pingree's York River bill

Bill could lead to federal investments in local economy and would protect economic value of York River

Despite the highly charged partisan atmosphere in Congress, the U.S. House today unanimously passed a bill written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree that could pave the way to a special federal designation for the York River.

"The support for this bill in the community has been widespread so I'm glad my colleagues in the House could give it their unanimous support," Pingree said. "The York River is an economic and ecological asset to the area and this legislation could help protect and preserve it."

Pingree's bill calls for a multi-year study of the York River. The study, in conjunction with community input, would determine if the river is eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service.

"I have heard from small business owners, community groups, state and local government representatives, local and national land trusts, hunters, fishermen, schoolrepresentatives, and historical and environmental conservationists, and allagree that continuing to benefit from the river depends on recognizing and protecting its important and unique qualities," Pingree said on the House floor today.

Pingree said she's heard from scores of local residents who have talked about economic and environmental value of the river.

Pingree heard from Sarah Newick of York said "I have spent more than 50 years observing and enjoying the York River—rowing, sailing, powerboating, clamming, fishing, swimming, lobstering. The York River is a treasure."

Arthur Colson, a hunter who lives in Eliot, Maine said "I feel it is very important to preserve this area for not just hunting but for birds also that use the river for hatching and feeding."

"Getting that designation could mean significant federal investment in protecting the York River," Pingree said. "The river has incredible economic and environmental value to York, Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick and the surrounding communities, and this kind of federal investment will help ensure that value is preserved."

If, based on the study and community support, the York River is designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River, it makes it more likely that federal funding will come to the area for activities like preserving and restoring fish and wildlife habitat, for example.

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November 18, 2011: York River study bill advances in House

Today the House Committee on Natural Resources approved Congresswoman Chellie Pingree's legislation to study the York River for possible inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers program. The next step will be a vote on the House floor, which Pingree says she hopes will come soon.

"To pass the Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support and keep the bill moving towards the floor for a vote in the House is very exciting. I think we've cleared this hurdle because the York River community has done such a great job of showing how important the character of this waterway is to the local environment, economy, and way of life," said Pingree. "The study will be an excellent opportunity to find out more about the value of the York River, while giving a critical boost to the local organizations and businesses who will do the research."

If passed, the study would find whether the river merits one of the designations under the Wild and Scenic River program: wild, scenic, or recreational. Then community members would be able to offer their input on whether the designation should move forward. A designation adds an extra level of review for projects that require federal permits. It keeps decision about private development on private land under complete local control.

The committee passed the legislation with an amendment to ensure the study includes analyzing the impacts of a designation on commercial and recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, and bridge construction; the ability of local and state governments to implement protections under a full designation; and identify private property located in the area studied. The amendment was introduced by Rep. Rob Bishop, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

"I think the amendment makes the legislation stronger," Pingree said. "It's important that community members have all the information they need to decide whether they think thedesignation should move forward."

Pingree submitted the study legislation at the request of community members, including commercial fishermen, school administrators, local business owners, and individuals. In May, she went to York for a presentation where representatives told her howimportant the waterway was to the area. The legislation received a subcommittee hearing in September, for which Pingree submitted testimony from members of the committee.

You can read pieces of their testimony here.

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September 15, 2011: Congressional committee holds hearing on Pingree's bill to consider York River for special designation

A Congressional committee held a hearing this morning on a proposal by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree that would fund a multi-year study of the York River. The study, in conjunction with community input, would determine if the river is eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service.

Pingree told the Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands that the request for a study of the York River came from a cross-section of the local community, including small business owners, fishermen and educators. She talked about a public meeting she held on the shore of the York River this spring, which attracted dozens of local residents

"Standing on the banks of the river, I heard from community members about what the river means to them and how they have pulled together to protect this waterway. I also heard from the community about how the York River needs additional protections from increasing development pressures. Watching two York River lobstermen tie up their boat, I wouldn't have guessed that the York River area is on the northern fringe of the Boston megalopolis in terms of population and development pressures. The towns of York, Eliot, Kittery, and South Berwick recognize that without additional knowledge and management tools, the river's unique cultural, recreational, commercial, and natural resources will be threatened," Pingree said.

Also testifying at the hearing in Washington was Maryann Minard, Director of Curriculum for the York School Department. Minard told the Committee students from Kindegarten through High School use the River as an outdoor laboratory.

"Seeking the designation of the York River for study under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has the full and enthusiastic support of the York School Department. The York River provides an instructional venue for new and valuable learning experiences about the river's natural, historic, and cultural resources," Minard said.

If, based on the survey and community input, the York River is designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River, it makes it more likely that federal funding will come to the area for activities like preserving and restoring fish habitats, for example.

In addition to increased federal funding, a designation would require review of projects in the river—like dredging or erecting a dam—but would not limit private development or activity on private property.

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June 23, 2011: Study could lead to federal investment in the economy and ecology of York River

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced a bill today that would fund a multi-year study of the York River. The study, in conjunction with community input, would determine if the river is eligible for designation as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service. 

"Getting that designation could mean significant federal investment in protecting the York River," Pingree said. "The river has incredibly economic and environmental value to York, Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick and the surrounding areas, and this kind of federal investment will make sure that value is preserved."

If, based on the survey and community input, the York River is designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River, it makes it more likely that federal funding will come to the area for activities like preserving and restoring fish habitats, for example.

"The York River is home to commercial fishermen and attracts recreational users to the area, which are critical to the local economy," Pingree said. "Protecting it is essential to keep those people in business."

In addition to increased federal funding, a designation would require review of projects in the river—like dredging or erecting a dam—but would not limit private development or activity on private property.