ELLSWORTH – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe has introduced legislation to permit expansion of the anchorage at Northeast Harbor and on the Union River in Ellsworth. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will consider the bill.

The U.S. government maintains control of navigation channels and harbors. Changes to the waterways and anchorages can be made through legislation or through the Water Resources Development Act.

Both projects permit expansion of harbor space for commercial and recreational vessels and are strongly supported within their communities.

The city of Ellsworth is revitalizing the Union River, and a redesignation of part of the river will allow for the expansion of the number of moorings without interfering with the navigation channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have also endorsed the arrangements.