U.S. House to vote on York River study

YORK, Maine — A federal bill to fund up to $500,000 to study the York River is headed for the U.S. House next week.

The bill, written by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, would initiate a multi-year study of river to determine if it 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 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.”

The vote on the bill is expected on the House floor by next Wednesday. If the bill passes and the study is conducted, the next step will be to determine if the river is eligible for the wild and scenic program. That designation 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 York River is home to commercial fishermen and attracts a variety of recreational users to the area, which are critical to the local economy,” Pingree said. “Protecting it is essential to keeping these people in business.”

Besides increased federal funding, a designation would also foster collaboration between groups working to protect important aspects of the rivers’ character, she said.

Such a designation would also require a review of major projects — like erecting a dam — being done with federal funding. It would not limit private development or activity on private property.