The Cape Neddick River Association is dedicated to restoring the Cape Neddick River and Beach to a state of good health and vitality.
 
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In the news Participants at the the Cape Neddick River Association's March 7 meeting were given an update on the Town of York's $34,700 water quality restoration study and learned that the Town may be eligible for an EPA grant to help with cleanup. Read more on seacoastonline.com. Portsmouth Herald editorial acknowledges Town and CRNA efforts, suggests other regional issues The author paints efforts by the Town of York and CNRA is a positive light and describes issues and efforts in other nearby communities. Read more on seacoastonline.com. York Weekly features efforts of the Town of York Community Development Department and CNRA Community Development Director Steve Burns describes the Town's efforts to enforce septic pumping regulations and a $34,700 water quality restoration study approved by the Board of Selectmen. Linda Scotland introduces the upcoming "Lawns for Lobsters" program. Read more on seacoastonline.com. Cape Neddick River Association beach cleanup highlighted in York Weekly "The Cape Neddick River Association sponsored the International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 17 at Cape Neddick Beach. The cleanup is held every year in the fall and is the largest event of its kind — volunteers clean rivers, streams and beaches all over the world. More than 20 association members participated in the cleanup, removing 79 pounds of refuse that included cigarette butts, wrappers and food plastic and almost 200 feet of rope. They also found a tire, drug paraphernalia, and computer parts." Read more on seacoastonline.com. Special thanks to the Hayfords for coordinating the event! |
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Active projects A management study for the Cape Neddick River Watershed has begun! After a lengthy lobbying campaign by members of the CNRA, the Board of Selectmen approved a $35,000 expenditure to hire Watershed Solutions to investigate the health of the watershed and identify problems. Members of the CNRA will be assisting with this effort. This is the first step in what will be a holistic approach to improving the health of the river and its environs. UPDATE: On March 7, Watershed solutions presented a water quality restoration plan. In collaboration with the Town of York Conservation Commission the CNRA is hoping to bring nesting ospreys to the river. A nesting platform has been built and is awaiting permitting before placing it in its final position. Stay tuned…. In collaboration with The York Rivers Association, The York Land Trust, and The Town of York Conservation Commission the CNRA is launching the Lawns to Lobsters program. Originating in Kennebunkport with assistance from the University of New England, this program educates homeowners on reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Volunteers and homeowners needed! |
Coming soon!
To gain visibility, the commission took the Lawns for Lobsters theme and had car decals printed. They also turned these stickers into small lawn signs, similar in size to the “horrid chemicals applied here” signs, which are mandatory when toxic chemicals are used on a lawn. The signs can be found on the lawns of all Kennebunk town buildings (town hall, library, police station, etc.), and on the lawns of people who have adopted the tenets of the Lawns for Lobsters program, and the stickers are popping up on cars and trucks – including those of some of the lobstermen - around town. The Lawns for Lobsters program has begun to spread all over the state of Maine and the Cape Neddick River Association is making this a priority project for 2012. UPDATE: Lawns2Lobsters.com has made its debut! |
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About the Cape Neddick River The Cape Neddick River Watershed encompasses 6,660 acres, all of which lies in the town of York. Chase's Pond, at the headwaters, serves as a drinking supply for the York Water District, and has been designated a NPS Priority lake by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP). Within the watershed, over 1,700 acres are presently protected. The land use, according to ME DEP, is considered light to moderate commercial-industrial and moderate residential. Most of the commercial/industrial development is along the Route 1 corridor. The tidal portion of the Cape Neddick watershed stretches ~730 meters from the Atlantic Ocean in the Cape Neddick Harbor up to Rt. 1. The maximum depth is 9.8 meters with a flushing time of 17 hours and an annual watershed runoff volume of 15.6 x 106 m3. There are approximately 12 commercial fishing boats and approximately 30 pleasure craft moored in the harbor. None of the watershed is served by sewer service. The York wastewater treatment facility for the Town of York discharges into the middle of Cape Neddick Harbor within sight of Cape Neddick Beach, a popular attraction for both local residents and tourists. The Water’s Journey The Cape Neddick Watershed is entirely in the Town of York, beginning on the forested slopes of Mt Agamenticus. The main stream and numerous tributaries are dammed to form the two mile long Chase’s Pond. From the dam, the River travels southeast for a short distance, then turns to the northeast after flowing under the Maine Turnpike. It continues in this direction through a forested landscape for about a mile, where it gently bends back to flow southeast, meeting a few small tributaries over the course of its journey. One major tributary from the north converges with the River shortly before it flows under Route 1 where it encounters a more developed landscape while coming under the influence of the tides. The tidal portion then gradually widens until its flow is restricted by the bridge crossing on Shore Road, after which it again widens and empties into the Gulf of Maine between Weare Point and Cape Neddick. |
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In
2009, the Kennebunkport Conservation Commission, in partnership with the
University of New England, the Maine Lobstermen's Association and
others, developed the Lawns for Lobsters program. They held a
presentation at a well-attended community forum explaining their
findings and the importance of