Becoming Wild and Scenic: The Outstandingly Remarkable Values of the York River

By Cassidy Quistorff, NPS Communications Intern


To become a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a river must meet certain eligibility criteria. This includes possessing at least one Outstandingly Remarkable Value (ORV). An ORV is a unique, rare or exemplary river-related feature that is significant at a state, regional or national scale. Characteristically, they are natural, cultural, or recreational resources, and are usually defining attributes and features of the river. The York River, its tributaries, and watershed have no shortage of these outstanding resource values including scenic views, working waterfronts, historic and cultural resources, good water quality, and natural resources.

Scenic Views

Recognition of scenic resources is particularly important for tourism and recreation. In 2020 Maine was ranked as one of the top ten regional destinations for world travelers by Lonely Planet’s Best Regional Travel in 2020 book, and tourists spent nearly $6.5 billion dollars in the state in 2019. The combination of exceptional natural, cultural, and historic resources in the York River watershed creates distinctive scenic views that help define community character and create unique visual experiences. There are diverse scenic landscapes along the York River, many of which stem from the undeveloped shorelines, as well as the working landscape rooted in fishing, agriculture and forestry. In its comprehensive plan, the Town of Eliot notes the contribution of its agricultural and forestry resources to the town’s scenic and cultural values that are important to community character.

Recreational opportunities exist throughout the York River watershed, attracting locals and visitors. Photo: Jerry Monkman, Ecophotography.com.

Working Waterfront Preservation

Maintaining a working waterfront means protecting access to the river for commercial and recreational fishing. The York River watershed contains the nation’s first working waterfront conservation easement, the Sewall/Donnel dock at Sewall’s Bridge, which is located near historic buildings at a particularly scenic area along the York River. By partnering with local fishermen, the York Land Trust purchased a conservation easement for the protection of the working waterfront. Public and private infrastructure and docking supports 30-35 commercial fishing boats and provides recreational access to the River. Looking towards the future, the stewardship plan includes evaluating and preparing for sea level rise impacts on working waterfronts in order to preserve them, the sustainable and recreational uses of the waterway, and the scenic qualities of the York River.

Preserving the waterfront views does not have to entail cutting off economic opportunity. Through partnerships, the York River watershed contains the first working waterfront conservation easement in the country.  Photo: David J. Murray, ClearEyePhoto.com

Water Quality

There is a high level of water quality within the York River watershed. Because of this, the York River estuary is often considered to be a reference site in the State of Maine. In addition to there being no wastewater or industrial discharges on the York River or its tributaries, much of the high water quality can be attributed to the preservation of its natural landscapes. The local salt marshes slow down the water and filter it, providing natural water quality benefits. Geographically, many of the headwater streams in the York River watershed overlap with forested areas, and the forested wetlands and riparian areas along these streams play a key role in providing good water quality and aquatic habitats. The York watershed’s marine and estuarine waters meet fishable and swimmable standards established by the federal Clean Water Act and support all native species.

The waters of the York River have exceptional water quality and provide recreational opportunities for people of all ages. Photo by Jennifer Hunter.

Watershed Ecosystem

The York River watershed includes part of the largest intact coastal forest in the area between Acadia National Park and the New Jersey Pine Barrens, as well as one of the largest intact salt marshes in southern Maine. The headwaters of the York River remain undeveloped and contain stream buffers to protect the waters due to Maine’s robust buffer laws and local conservation efforts. With over fifty percent of the watershed forested, the native plant and wildlife communities are able to thrive. Forest species at both the northern and southern extent of their range overlap in the watershed, which contributes to the area’s rich biological diversity. Similarly, the convergence of freshwater and saltwater habitat in the estuary bring unique wildlife communities together, and offer rich habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, fish, and more.

Historic Resources

From archaeological findings that date back 5,000 years to many historic buildings and structures representative of roughly 300 years of national and local architectural heritage, there is an abundance of historic and cultural resources within the York River watershed. There are 23 prehistoric and 94 historic period archaeological sites in the watershed. A 2017 study commissioned by the York River Study Committee found a 5,000 year-old projectile point. There are eight individual properties, as well as an historic district, included in the National Register of Historic Places, and three local historic districts with 76 historic properties. There is an active historic community (including the Old York Historical Society), and resources that provide artistic inspiration and educational opportunities.

The John Hancock Warehouse that still sits on the shore of the York River was built in the mid-1700s and is one of eight National Register of Historic Places sites within the York River watershed. Photo: Jennifer Hunter.

Biodiversity and Natural Communities

Preserving wildlife habitat is a key piece in protecting the biodiversity and natural communities within the watershed. The York River watershed contains exemplary habitat, with over 11,000 acres (just over 50% of the total area) in unfragmented blocks that are greater than 100 acres. Significant wildlife habitats include: deer wintering areas (460 acres), inland wading bird and waterfowl areas (2,870 acres), shorebird feeding and roosting areas (60 acres), significant vernal pools (30 acres even with the mapping incomplete), and tidal wading bird and waterfowl areas (2,490 acres). Within the York River watershed are key estuarine areas that support rare and threatened diadromous fish species for which conservation studies and surveys have been ongoing. The large undeveloped forest areas, convergence of southern and northern New England forest types, large intact salt marshes, and high quality estuary and freshwater systems create many important habitat areas that support rare and endangered plants and wildlife, and contribute to the region’s exceptionally high overall species diversity.

These are some of the outstanding values for which the York River will be designated should the pending legislation pass.

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