KENNEBUNK RIVER COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 15, 2006 MEETING
All Members and Alternates Were Present:
Anne Gamble
Peter Hatch
Gordon Ayer
Linda Littell
Grant Nelson
Rob Benson
Richard Woodman
Robert Williamson
Robert Butler
Dave Parr
Also Present: Members of the Kennebunk Fire and Rescue Department and the Chief, Steve Nichols, members of the Kennebunk Conservation Committee, and Chris Feurt (from the Laudholm Reserve). James Nadeau, Harbormaster, was also in attendance.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Littell.
Minutes of the June 20, 2006 meeting were read and approved by unanimous vote.
The issue of contamination of area beaches was discussed in detail after the introduction of the topic by John White of the Kennebunk Conservation Committee. The agenda item was scheduled in order to determine whether there could be collaboration with all interested parties to deal with this problem.
Mr. White presented the 2001 survey of the Kennebunk River, which identified 88 potential source points of pollution.
It was noted that the River and Conservation Committees had jointly coordinated a letter to all marinas to bring attention to compliance with the pump-out requirements presently contained within the laws of Maine.
In Kennebunk, the problem has primarily been with Gooch’s Beach. The testing has established that the River has exceeded the recognized allowable limit of bacteria on several occasions. The other testing sites have no been as serious a problem, although bacteria have been identified at limits approaching the maximum allowable under Federal and State guidelines.
Chief Nichols, being the Department Head with responsibility for Kennebunk’s beaches, has requested that the Conservation Committee compile all available date for later presentation to the Board of Selectmen. The Wells Reserve has been coordinating the effort at 5 sites: near the Severance property, near Performance Marine, at Durrell’s Bridge, near Route One, and near the Downing Road. It is interesting to note that the Downing Road site has been the most consistent in terms of high bacteria counts.
It was noted that a problem arose when an RV (shades of Christmas Vacation) dumped its holding tank into a storm drain at Gooch’s Beach. The level of contamination remained high at that site even after the problem was addressed. One of the issues is the direct connection of the storm drains to the beach. It is anticipated that this will be addressed in the future.
There are 13 homes that are known to have overboard discharge systems which dispose of effluent directly into the River. It is believed that they are all in the area of Durrell’s Bridge (the Landing), both above and below the bridge. Anne Gamble noted that she has confirmed that a strong odor of “fecal matter” can be noted in that area. She was complimented on her olfactory powers.
The topic of pollution from boats was discussed in detail and it was generally agreed that enforcement is a significant problem. This topic was also discussed in terms of a manner of providing a viable means of pumping out boats (by boat or by a fixed location).
The conclusions: There is a need to develop a Watershed Management Plan, developed by a group representing a broad range of support and interests, which will define the actual problems, develop strategies, and implement the agreed solutions. It was agreed that the group should consist of a core group of perhaps 6 dedicated individuals, with the other members providing support and manpower, but the majority of the work to be accomplished by the core group.
Chris Feurt indicated that she would attempt to develop a methodology for future action, with the initial goal being to address the problems identified as “low hanging fruit” (meaning that we need to start with a reasonable and workable plan which will allow for early successes). It is anticipated that we will hear more from Chris and work along with the Conservation Committees of all 3 towns to develop that plan.
The Harbormaster provided the Committee with his report, the same being summarized as follows:
1. All things considered, everything continues to look good in terms of organization of matters on the River;
2. Three oil spills were reported during the week prior to the meeting. The Fire Departments of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport were involved with the first spill, as well as the Department of Environmental Protection. The conclusion was that the first spill was caused by a single boater with his own personal craft. Booms were placed in the River. The second was reported by Chick’s Marina and involved a fishing boat which had had its motor removed; no booms were placed. The third spill was reported by the Kennebunkport Marina, but the source was not known.
3. There have been 33 transient rentals, mostly in July.
4. Five additional mooring have been placed this year and Jim is hopeful that another 3 or 4 might be a possibility.
5. There were complaints about the “structure” located at the Noble property in the Landing. Much of the material has been removed and there is less of a threat of material washing downriver.
6. The extensive use of Government Wharf by Mr. Hutchins was discussed and the Harbormaster indicated that his use of the docks will be limited to that of any other fisherman next year.
7. Arundel has proposed a Dock Ordinance, but Kennebunk has not. Kennebunkport has had such an ordinance for several years.
8. The size of vessels lying at Doane’s Wharf was discussed as a result of a newspaper article that grossly exaggerated the size of yachts that could be accommodated. However, it was recalled that the Planning Board and the Committee were both advised that the boats were to be in the 30-foot range, with a beam of approximately 12 feet. One recent vessel approached 100 feet and had a beam estimated at approximately 30 feet. It was left that Bob Williamson and Jim Nadeau will work on determining what size vessels can be safely and reasonably accommodated at Doane’s Wharf.
The meeting concluded on a high note with further conversation about the collection of excise taxes and how they are applied. There was disagreement about whether the taxes stayed in the Harbor Account (which was later established to be the case) or were sent to the State (as the Chair argued, erroneously). The undersigned was pleased with the outcome, and it is hoped that next year will be an opportunity to initiate collection efforts.
No other business coming before the meeting, it was Voted: To Adjourn, at 8:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordon C. Ayer, Secretary
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