After years of groundwork and months of negotiations, the state of Maine, The Nature Conservancy and numerous local partners are on the verge of protecting lands along nearly the entire length of the Machias River. While the Atlantic Salmon Commission is leading the effort in fulfillment of the state’s Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan, this project will benefit other wildlife – and Maine’s people – as much as salmon. If the project succeeds, we will have taken a giant step toward securing access to a pristine riverine environment for present and future generations.

This initiative – the Machias River Project – includes acquisition by the Atlantic Salmon Commission of conservation easements on over 28,000 acres of Machias River riparian corridor, including its major tributaries and its five headwater lakes, and the purchase of 2,800 acres to complement existing state holdings near Nicatous and Duck lakes.

The Machias is one of Maine’s most spectacular natural treasures. From its headwater lakes to the sea it churns nearly eighty miles through breathtaking forests and critical wildlife habitat. As well as allowing continued sustainable forestry, the Machias River Project will not impact current leases and protect the river’s outstanding recreational resources, ranging from the solitude of wilderness camping to the challenge of canoeing its rapids, as well as hunting, fishing and trapping. If the river remains unprotected, these recreational resources and opportunities for ecotourism development may well be lost as ownership of the riverside lands changes hands.

International Paper, the current owner, has done an adequate job of managing the land and good job of allowing public use, but IP is rapidly selling off its properties Downeast. Many recent timberland sales have been to liquidation loggers, who typically subdivide and sell off parcels after cutting. Even if the land remains in forest production, new owners can and probably will restrict traditional public access unless public use is protected through a conservation easement.

More and more land Downeast is being bought by people from out of state who have discovered the spectacular beauty of our region. The soaring property values and access restrictions we are witnessing along the coast will inevitably work their way inland, with lake front and river front properties being the first to go. By removing this threat for the IP lands on the Machias River, streams and lakes, the Machias River Project will provide for commercial and recreational uses and essential wildlife habitat – forever.

The principal partners in this project have been working hard to ensure that the local public is well-informed about this project and has many chances to ask questions and air concerns. Close contact is being maintained with many local groups including the Machias River Watershed Council, Project SHARE, Downeast Rivers Land Trust, Quoddy Regional Land Trust, Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Maine at Machias Recreation Management Department, Maine Guides and the Sunrise County Economic Council, to ensure strong public input. There have been several public meetings including a recent Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues breakfast, which was attended by more than forty people. While some of the details of the conservation easement are still under negotiation, the Machias River Project’s outlines – and the public benefits that it will – bring are clear.

While there may be some who question the cost of the project and feel that IP is reaping a windfall profit, the deal will be based on a professional appraisal and the appraisal will be based on the value of the rights IP is giving up.

Opportunities to conserve a special river like the Machias, almost in its entirety, don’t come often. We should all work together to ensure that this opportunity is not lost.

Joel M. Pickelner works for the Quoddy Regional Land Trust in Whiting as a land-protection specialist on the five Downeast rivers that are home to wild Atlantic salmon.