Protecting the Spring River

Spring River Project Summary
Maine’s Machias, Spring, and Narraguagus Rivers and their shores, tributaries and headwater ponds are true natural treasures. The Spring River and the West Branch of the Narraguagus River have been identified by conservation scientists as top priorities for endangered Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing habitat. In fact, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified the Narraguagus as one of seven Maine rivers critical to Atlantic salmon recovery. The forests surrounding these rivers, lakes and streams play a major role in the economic stability of neighboring communities and in Maine’s economy as a whole, and the character of this part of Downeast Maine is dependent upon the qualities of these lands and waters.

This area of the Northern Forest is experiencing tremendous pressure from development forces and liquidated harvesting, threatening the ecological health and stability of this landscape. Over the past several years, paper company giants have initiated a major transition on these lands by selling large land parcels, primarily to timber liquidators.

“Breaking New Ground” Through Innovative Partnerships
In 2003, The Nature Conservancy negotiated with H.C. Haynes, Inc. a long-term option on a 9,934-acre property that contains more than 12 miles of frontage along the Spring and Narraguagus Rivers. Through the Spring River Project, the Conservancy is partnering for the first time with H.C. Haynes, Inc., a timber company known as Maine’s largest and most active enterprise pursuing purchase, harvest and rapid resale of forestlands.

This agreement prevents severe and imminent damage to important spawning and rearing habitats for the endangered Atlantic salmon, initially removing approximately 1,300 acres from scheduled harvest, including a 500-foot buffer along the West Branch of the Narraguagus River, the Spring River, Narraguagus Lake, and the Anderson Pond watershed.

The Next Steps
The Nature Conservancy plans to manage and restore the Spring River property so that it can eventually be transferred to the state of Maine as an ecological reserve to significantly enhance the reserve system in Downeast Maine as an addition to the state’s Donnell Pond Public Reserve Unit. In total, these abutting properties will create 24,000 acres of connected conservation land in Hancock County, comprising the largest designated ecological reserve holding by the state of Maine.

Spring River Project Goal
The Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy must raise $2.6 million by December 2005 to purchase the 9,934-acre Spring River property and provide an adequate endowment to ensure it is properly managed as an ecological reserve.

For more information or to find out how you can donate directly to the Spring River Project, please contact:
Cori Messinger, Donor Relations Manager
Phone: (207) 729-5182
Fax:(207) 729-4118
cmessinger@tnc.org