Last updated: May 17, 2021
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York River Study
In November 2017, the York River Study Committee unanimously endorsed pursuing a Partnership Wild and Scenic River designation for the York River and its major tributaries – see Designation Recommendation Overview. The York River Watershed Stewardship Plan is the culmination of over 30 months of work by the York River Study Committee to gather information about the York River and its watershed. The plan is available at town halls and libraries. An accompanying “Story Map” – or online tour – provides highlights, maps and data from the Stewardship Plan. Communities endorsed river designation and the Stewardship Plan in late 2018, through votes on warrant articles in Eliot and York and adoption of resolutions by town councils in Kittery and South Berwick.
Read more about what makes York River special: Poster on York River’s outstanding resources
Designation updates (March 2021)
York River designation bills were reintroduced this session (117th Congress) in the House and Senate. House Bill H.R. 1469 and Senate Bill S. 491 were reintroduced March 1, 2021 with support from the full Maine Congressional delegation. In addition, Congresswoman Pingree introduced an amendment to the Wilderness Protection Act (H.R. 803) that included designation of the York River into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. H.R. 803 passed the House on February 26, 2021 and now is being taken up by the Senate.
Check out the York River Wild and Scenic study webpage for the most recent updates.