WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks today advanced legislation he authored that would authorize a study of the York River, an important first step toward possibly attaining a special federal designation that could lead to federal investments to protect the economic and environmental value of the river. The bill now awaits consideration by the full committee.

Senator King’s legislation calls for a multi-year study of the river, which along with community input, would determine whether it is eligible to be designated as a Wild and Scenic Partnership River by the National Park Service. The National Park Service recently released a report that found the York River is a good candidate for a Wild and Scenic River Study.

If attained, the designation would trigger federal funding and other resources to help maintain the river in its current healthy, natural, and free-flowing state, including funding for education and outreach; historic, scientific, and economic research; and conservation efforts.

Senator King submitted testimony in favor of the bill, which can be read below:

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Mr. Chairman – I would like to offer testimony in support of S. 1520 and H.R. 2197 to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the York River in Maine and its associated tributaries for study for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I am eager to see the results of a study and whether or not a Wild and Scenic designation would be appropriate for the York River.

The York River consists of 109 miles of streams and rivers banked by various habitats that support rare and endangered species. Based on the findings from a reconnaissance survey conducted by the Northeast Regional Office of the National Park Service in 2013, it is very likely that segments of the York River exhibit the free-flowing character and noteworthy natural, cultural and recreational resource values likely to meet the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The survey also found that the strong presence of community and interest group support for a Study, along with a demonstrated track record of natural and cultural resource protection, provide a strong indication that a Wild and Scenic Rivers Study would be appropriate and productive. Among these community stakeholders are the elected officials of the towns of York, Kittery, Eliot, and South Berwick (the four towns through which the river flows); the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce; York Land Trust; York Water District; York Shellfish Conservation Commission; York Country Club; Great Works Regional Land Trust; Eliot Historical Society; Kittery Land Trust; Maine Coast Heritage Trust; Gundlow Company; and numerous other businesses and conservation and historical groups.

However, a study is a critical step in determining what challenges a Wild and Scenic designation may pose to infrastructure upgrades, development, existing commercial and recreational activities and on activities concerning energy production and transmission infrastructure, and on the authority of state and local governments to manage those activities, and other impacts not listed here but listed in the bill. Determining these impacts is an important step forward in considering a Wild and Scenic designation.

Thank you for your time and efforts in chairing this hearing. I hope that my colleagues can join me in support of this study and will give this bill every consideration. I look forward to the results of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Study that would be provided by passage of this bill.

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