Greetings from the shores of the Bagaduce River. It has been a while since you received news from the Bagaduce Watershed Association. There have been some interesting things happening locally and beyond.
Locally BWA has had a very successful series of “River Trips” paid for by the fund-raising efforts of your board which included donations from each and through the telephone efforts of the president.
We increased the number of students participants relative to last year. Also, Reversing Falls Sanctuary of Brooksville suggested a co-sponsorship of one additional trip for a local eighth grade. The program involved students conducting Marine Science data gathering from sites which were sampled in June 2025 and comparing seasonal differences. This was conducted by the Penobscot Community School on September 11th. It was their idea, and serendipitously it coincided with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of RFS as they honored one of their missions; “Caring for the Sacred Earth”. As future stewards of the Bagaduce River and the Earth they performed beautifully to a full house explaining their hypothesis, methodology, findings and comparative results including an impressive slide show.
Witnessing a group of teenagers speak to a diverse audience of adults and peers was a site to celebrate; and it was.
Due to the generosity of the charter boat Captain and the Reversing Falls Leadership Team, permission was granted to BWA to use expense dollars to donate $250.00 to PCS for Marine Science equipment.
BWA’s intention is to continue and expand this valuable educational experience should funds continue to be available.
BWA also co-sponsored with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine the third annual “Kayak Expedition”. This kayak experience for local 9th grade students, who could most benefit from the experience, included an overnight camping component along with learning kayak handling, navigation and the history of the river under the guides of Castine Kayak Adventures.
Also locally, the residents of Penobscot voted to approve an Aquaculture Ordinance. The purpose of which is to create more local control while supporting local working waterfront. The BWA board was in complete support of the action as we believe commercial development can be done responsibly and profitably and at the same time practice sound ecological methods. There are also discussions taking place around the peninsula among community leaders, NGOs and citizens to develop best practices management plans.
On a statewide level the Maine Legislature granted the Maine Department of Marine Resources the complete authority to establish its own practices and policies over all aquaculture development. As a result of this DMR has eliminated all public hearings for the renewal of 20-year leases, thereby decreasing the ability to discuss the previous performance of the lease holder as well as other relevant issues. DMR will accept written comments but verbal discussion, we believe, is the most appropriate way to implement a positive management plan.
One of the roles BWA sees for the organization is to collaborate, with all stakeholders who benefit from the watershed, to develop coastline management plans which conserves and protects the ecology of the river while supporting responsible commercial activities. The following are examples of this perspective.
The Friends of Walker Pond and BWA co-sponsored its Annual Speakers Series in August. The event was held at the Brooksville Community Center. There were three speakers: Dr. Megan Flenniken, Blue Hill Heritage Trust’s Director of Development, Mr. George Fields Executive Director of BHHT they presented “BHHT Conservation Projects on or Around Walker Pond” and BWA President Tom Adamo who spoke about BWA’s “Bagaduce River Trips”. The event was well attended and enjoyed by those in attendance. Furthermore, at the request of the Executive Committee of the FOWP the BWA president was asked to research the legal parameters of pumping water from Walker Pond by commercial water companies. The research was completed and reported to the FOWP.
As you may know, BWA board member, Mr. Bill McWeeny while teaching at Castine’s Adams School, established the Calvin Project. This student-centered educational program informs the public about the most endangered Atlantic Right Whale. Calvin is a calf who was orphaned by a ship strike of its mother. Over the years the project has become well known as they have presented their understanding of the Right Whale’s plight to communities from Quebec to Tampa and from Halifax to NYC. The “Calvineers” as they are called are in collaboration with scientist from the New England Aquarium.
BWA’s president serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Blue Hill Bay. This past summer he and the board president of FOBHB, skippered the organization’s Grady White to the southern part of the bay to photograph an abandoned Mussel Farm with the hope of having it removed from the waters adjacent to Bartlett Island off MDI. The photographs were emailed to Senator Nicole Grohowski and Representative Nina Milliken requesting their influence with the Maine Department of Marine Resources to expediate removal of this unsightly navigational hazard and potential source of pollution. Although FOBHB was not involved in the planning, the equipment was removed by Cooke Aquaculture as it was formerly the infrastructure of a finfish pen. We have not verified whether it was ever used as such but its conversion to raise Mussels was abandoned by the former lease holder. DMR via email informed Tom Adamo that it was private property, no longer located on the lease site therefore it was not their responsibility. This collaboration with members of BWA and FOBHB had a favorable outcome.
The president of BWA also participates in discussions every other month with the leadership of the Blue Hill Peninsula Rockweed Forum. The BHPRF is a relatively new organization which focuses on the ecological importance of Rockweed to the saltwater ecosystem. Their educational focus is implemented through research, workshops and networking with other organizations and individuals.
Most recently, staff from Maine Coast Heritage Trust contacted BWA as it develops a Conservation Plan for the Bagaduce River Watershed. Their desire is to include BWA and FOWP in prioritizing areas of focus for the plan. This collaborative effort reinforces the need for like-minded organizations and like-minded individuals to develop community ideas and practices to conserve the health and well-being of both the ecosystem and the working waterfront. An inclusive communication network of all stakeholders can find common goals and methods to accomplish those goals. Should you have any questions, concerns or ideas about the plan please feel free to contact me at Radiusmyfairpoint@outlook.com or by telephone at 207-326-8868.
It is with sincere hope that this coming Holiday Season, whichever you celebrate, brings us together to ensure the health of the watershed community in all its glory.
BWA has a request for you. Please join BWA, renew your membership or donate to support our efforts. This can be done via our website, Bagaducewatershed.org or by check payable to BWA, and posted to BWA c/o Karen Adamo, Treasurer, 72 Schooner Point Road, Penobscot, ME. 04476.
Best,
Tom
