River~Link TO PROMOTE THE RIVER~LINK PROJECT, Governor John Baldacci cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the Dodge Point Reserve with helping hand from Noah Begin, a 7th grader from Great Salt Bay Middle School. (Photo Diane Randlett)

Governor John Baldacci joined Maine citizens on October 25 to celebrate the River~Link project. Thirty-plus individuals came to watch the governor cut a yellow ribbon symbolizing strides made on the River~Link Project. The event took place at the Dodge Point Reserve in Newcastle, with hopes that in the near future outdoor recreation enthusiasts will be able to enjoy public lands and access trails from the Damariscotta River to the Sheepscot River.

Maine's Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan expressed that this project had come full circle. Dodge Point Reserve was the first parcel acquired by The Land for Maine's Future program, purchased from the Ed Freeman trust. LMF, now in its 20th year, has worked to preserve over 104 parcels of land, for Maine citizens as well as tourists.

The River~Link Project is a partnership among several entities including the Boothbay Region Land Trust, the Town of Edgecomb, the Schmid Preserve Committee, the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, the Damariscotta River Association, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Working together, and with the essential funding support of the Land for Maine's Future with two grants totaling $700,000, River~Link is becoming a reality.

The total project when completed will protect 1,400 acres of land that will link several existing public and private protected lands and add to existing public access points to both land and water resources, creating a three-town recreational and wildlife corridor straddling Route One between two of Maine's most heavily used rivers, the Sheepscot and Damariscotta.

The Dodge Point presentation coincides with LMF's top priority bond issue on November 6, which seeks to raise money for the programs current status of being "out of funds," as stated on the Natural Resources Council of Maine's Web site.

The LMF funding request will appear on the November ballot as part of a $35.5 million bond question that also includes $5 million for a Riverfront Community Development Bond, $7.5 million in capital improvements for parks and historic sites, and $3 million to support working waterfronts.

Land for Maine's Future started in 1987, the Maine Legislature created the LMF to secure public access to Maine's land and water resources for Maine's people. Thursday's ribbon cutting celebration highlighted the importance of preserving precious vistas and woodland trails for our children.

Spectator Noah Begin, a seventh grader at Great Salt Bay, was asked to join Baldacci in the ceremony, a gesture that emphasized the idea of generational land use. The celebration was also to thank and encourage the countless hours of participation from local volunteers who promote and oversee these public lands.