Near the end of the summer season RLHT and the Rangeley Region Health Center

to stimulate discussion and focus attention on the issues, concerns, hopes and challenges

for the Rangeley region in the years ahead, the meeting was well attended by a

diverse group of the region’s citizens. Marla O’Bryne, active in a similar effort on Mount

Desert Island, spoke to the group about their experiences. The MDI Tomorrow initiative

began with a survey followed by a series of meetings and used the regional newspaper

as a vehicle for sharing information. They identified several priorities, and presently

there are six working groups open to anyone that meet regularly to address land use and

community character, community housing, transportation, youth, community health,

and economic prosperity concerns.

Dr. Mark Lapping, Professor of Public Policy at the Muskie School, suggested that

this process gives a community some degree of mastery over its future rather than a

sense of drift. He posed questions such as; what does Rangeley want to be known for,

what does Rangeley want to be when it grows up, and will there be a "stay" option for

our kids? Will affordable housing, the possibility of good work, and access to the

Rangeley region’s woods and waters be available to kids who chose to stay or return after

college?

Issues such as housing, development, taxes, natural resources, and regionalization

were all discussed. Dr. Lapping emphasized that it is important to have a process where

everyone is comfortable and everyone is heard–"to bring people out of the corners".

RLHT and the RRHC invite everyone to participate in this dialogue about

Rangeley Tomorrow as it continues after the first of the year.

Paul Chodosh, MD

Edward Brunswick

Sumner Crosby, Jr.

Geoffrey Hand

Charles King III

Kevin McDevitt

Sarah Medina

John Morton

Nancy Morton

William Oppenheim, Jr.

Julian Stein, Jr.

Leanna Wilbur

Nancy Perlson - nperlson@rlht.org

Shelby Rousseau - srousseau@rlht.org

Rebecca Kurtz - rkurtz@rlht.org

Linda Robertson - lrobertson@rlht.org

rlht.org

For more information please go to...

Printed on recycled paper. Reuse the news.

all/Winter 2005

P. O. Box 249

Oquossoc, ME 04964

207-864-7311 • info@rlht.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Prints of a painting of

Lower Dam by Ed

Murdock, the artist who

painted Upper and Middle

Dams, are available to

match the Upper & Middle

Dam prints. Prices are $150

for framed & matted or

$100 for matted only.

A limited number of prints

are available with frames

made of wood salvaged

from Lower Dam. Please

call to order or email us at

Fall Newsletter (HT) 5/24/06 4:06 PM Page 2

The Rapid River is known for its

world-class brook trout fishery in a beautiful

and historic setting. The hardships

and joys of living in this remote location

were shared by author Louise Dickinson

Rich, who made her home at Forest

Lodge along the banks of the Rapid River,

A major part of life on the river, until

about fifty years ago, was log driving.

Last year RLHT acquired approximately

320 acres at Upper and Middle

Dams and along the Rapid River.

Restrictive covenants were placed on the

lands to ensure access for traditional recreational

and sporting activities and preserve

its undeveloped character. Included in this

land transfer was Lower Dam, the structural

remains of a log sluice dam. Lower

Dam had survived thundering Class IV

rapids, ice jams, spring floods and

droughts, but over time these forces were

stealing the integrity of the structure.

Construction experts, environmental

engineers, and fisheries biologists were

consulted to evaluate the structure and the

valuable fish habitat above and below the

dam. They concluded that the collapse of

the dam or efforts to rebuild it would have

resulted in significant damage to the fishery.

It was agreed that the responsible

course of action was to carefully remove

the structure from the river.

Shelby Rousseau, RLHT Stewardship

Director, assembled a support team to

provide assistance during the removal

process including M&H Construction, EPro

Engineering, Maine DEP, Maine

DIFW, FPL Energy, Rangeley Region

Guides and Sportsmen’s Assoc., Northern

Waters/Saco Bound and regional whitewater

techs/EMT’s. From professionals to

volunteers, over 30 people served in various

capacities during the 5-day removal

process.

Thanks to meticulous planning and

skillful execution this challenging task was

successfully completed. Salvaged materials

from the dam including gatehouses,

wheels, beams, and boards have been

secured and will hopefully be featured in

displays of our logging and fishing heritage

in the future. A complete photo

gallery of this project is available at

www.rlhtpics.photosite.com.

Disassembly of Lower Dam, Rapid River. © RLHT photo

WHAT’S INSIDE

Cover Photo © Dave Boucher

Fall Newsletter (HT) 5/24/06 4:06 PM Page 3

This year the Town of Rangeley

marked its 150th anniversary and the

entire region joined in the celebrations.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust participated

in the festivities and hosted a

few of its own. The RLHT float won

"best non-profit" in the sesquicentennial

parade featuring the recreational

opportunities our conserved lands provide,

our regional water quality initiative,

and our EcoVenture campers.

fit perfectly with RLHT’s tag line,

"preserving our heritage,

protecting our future."

Our dedicated EV volunteer, Penny Pizer (left), provided

the creative energy for the float and Gary Perlson was a

crowd pleaser as the EV Moose! photo © M. Aldrich

While the summer is a hectic season of events, programs, and celebrations, the fall, winter

and spring seasons are when RLHT staff is focused on the behind-the-scenes effort that

makes it all possible. Land conservation is always our top priority. We are currently in discussions

and negotiations on the acquisition of thousands of acres of land in the Rangeley region

with miles of shore frontage, spectacular views, critical wildlife habitat, and high value fisheries.

To accomplish this we must leverage your contributions with money from federal, state

and private grants. Over the past twelve months we have matched your dollars with over $1.5

million dollars in grants for land acquisition, water quality, environmental education, trails,

and scenic byways.

In the fall, data gathered by over 50 volunteers in the water quality and invasive plant

program is entered and analyzed and plans are made to recruit, train, and organize volunteers

for next summer’s efforts. Stewardship plans for our conservation lands are reviewed and

activities scheduled including forestry, habitat enhancements, and recreational improvements.

Planning for EcoVenture gets underway just as the snow starts to fly with hiring instructors,

counselors, bus drivers, lifeguards, etc. and building the schedule which moves over 100

kids through five weeks of paddling, hiking, and experiential learning throughout the

Rangeley Region. Grants for scenic byways projects will be submitted in January and implementation

of previous grants for projects such as overlooks, interpretative signage and public

restrooms continues year-round.

Communicating and connecting with our membership to encourage and inspire you to

continue to support all of this work is vital to our success. Next time you receive a solicitation

from us please remember how important this work is to you and how important your

support is. With your help we’ll have lots to celebrate next summer!

It was a cold day in December when the purchase of over

1,000 acres on Rangeley Lake by RLHT was closed. But it was a

beautiful day in August when a large group of supporters and

officials turned out to celebrate the acquisition. The South Bog

dedication ceremony included a tour led by Maine DIFW

Fisheries Biologist Forrest Bonney of the recent restoration work

on South Bog stream to improve fish habitat. Representatives of

the MDOT and FPL Energy, who contributed funding to both

the acquisition and the stream restoration efforts, were present.

Hugh Ogden, a nationally recognized Professor of Poetry at

Trinity College, read a poem he wrote to honor South Bog.

RLHT staff and directors thanked

supporters for their help in making this

significant acquisition possible and

added that more contributions are

needed to pay off the $500,000

debt remaining on the property.

NFCT kiosk dedication. © 2005 G. Adams

Several years ago RLHT worked with a group called Native Trails to produce a map of the fifty-mile

stretch of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail across the lakes and rivers of the Rangeley region. The 760 mile

NFCT retraces the ancient travel routes of Native Americans from Old Forge, NY to Fort Kent, Maine.

Today recreational boaters can paddle and portage through the region on Rangeley Lake, the Rangeley River,

Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Richardson Lake, the Rapid River, and Lake Umbagog to the Androscoggin River

stopping to hike, camp, or fish on the miles of shoreline and thousands of acres of conserved land.

This year RLHT received a grant from NFCT to produce the second edition of the Rangeley region map

in conjunction with the production of six section maps of the entire trail. The maps are available for purchase

at local shops and online at www.northernforestcanoetrail.org

Another grant was received to construct a sign that was installed in Lakeside Park in Rangeley. This sign

replaced an old sign near the boat ramp and displays a map of the trail as well as additional information for

paddlers and visitors to the region. The focal point of the sign is a beautiful photo taken by Rangeley’s

own George Adams.

© 2005 RLHT photo

Fall Newsletter (HT) 5/24/06 4:07 PM Page 4

Since 2002, RLHT has coordinated one of the State’s premier

invasive aquatic plant programs. RLHT’s staff and volunteers

have invested over 6000 hours to protect the lakes, ponds,

and rivers of the Rangeley region from plants like Eurasian

Watermilfoil and Hydrilla. Volunteers play a significant role in

this effort and more are always needed.

Over the past four seasons, we have experienced several false

alarms - times when we thought we had found an invasive plant

growing in a lake or hanging from a boat- but upon closer

examination we learned that each plant was a native. This past

August, however, we got a frightening dose of reality when

Courtesy Boat Inspector(CBI) Bill Hart discovered Eurasian

Watermilfoil (EWM) on a trailer from Shirley, Massachusetts. A

mere two weeks later volunteer Joani Yankee found a suspicious

strand hanging from a boat from New Hampshire which was

also identified by state experts as an invasive. Had the CBI’s not

been at the launches when these invaders arrived, we feel that

the fragments could have started very costly and detrimental

infestations.

Since implementing our invasive plant program, the number

of infested water bodies in Maine has jumped between 30 and

40 percent. Several of these contaminated lakes are within 70

miles of Rangeley and are popular with the anglers that fish

here. Neighboring New Hampshire and Vermont have seen similar

increases while Connecticut and Massachusetts have advised

our CBI’s to assume every boater from these two states is from

an infested water body. Because the threat will only increase

with time, we must maintain our vigilance and our efforts

throughout the Region. The continued success of this important

program is made possible through state grants funded by

the invasive plant boat sticker program, donations from RLHT

members and regional lake associations and the support of the

Town of Rangeley and surrounding Plantations.

EcoVenture’s younger groups, ages 5 to 10, Grasshoppers, Brookies,

and Hawks gather with their counselors and instructors. Cougars

and Black Bears, ages 11 to 14 (not shown in the photo) camp,

paddle, and hike throughout the region.

Abraham

Thompson

shows intense

concentration

and focus as he

tackles the

fidget ladder

on the low

ropes course at

EcoVenture.

The two RLHT programs highlighted on this page

demonstrate the potential today and the promise of the

future for the Rangeley region when cooperation, teamwork

and a common goal are applied. Protecting the

water quality of our lakes, ponds, and rivers and preventing

the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic plants

has brought together RLHT, the Town of Rangeley, the

surrounding Plantations, lake associations, and individual

volunteers. This cooperation has allowed RLHT to support

a comprehensive and successful regional program

that is recognized as one of the best in the state.

EcoVenture brings together about 125 kids, over half

local and the rest from around the country–children and

grandchildren of year-round and seasonal residents. For

five weeks they enjoy all the simple pleasures that the

region has to offer–hiking, swimming, paddling, camping.

EcoVenture challenges them to test themselves, trust each

other and understand the natural world. Hopefully they

will form new friendships and develop a respect for one

another that will last a lifetime. Their enjoyment and

knowledge of the woods and waters will be passed on to

the next generation and their connection to the Rangeley

region will endure.

It is our hope that these lessons of teamwork and

cooperation can be applied to the broader challenges that

face our region. "The Rangeley Lakes Region" is a phrase

that is often used to describe the Town of Rangeley and

the surrounding Plantations and unorganized territories.

It is a region that has been defined by its geography and

heritage. The future of the region will be determined by

our ability to focus on shared values and apply cooperation,

teamwork, and respect.

Best wishes for a promising new year!

© 2005 G. Adams

© 2005 G. Adams

Fall Newsletter (HT) 5/24/06 4:07 PM Page 5