Dear Editor:

Tonight (May 26), Westport Island residents will be briefed on an opportunity to establish a public preserve on Squam Creek. The hearing is at 7 p.m. in the old Town Hall. A referendum question is on the ballot for the June 14th municipal election asking if voters will approve of the Town contributing just under 10 percent of the acquisition cost for a 144 acre preserve. The contribution is $50,000 to be financed thru the Maine Bond Bank or a local bank. The total acquisition cost is $536,000 with the balance of the acquisitions cost being funded thru local contributions, a seller discount for conservation, and federal grants.

Squam Creek is Westport’s most important wetland complex hosting numerous wading bird and waterfowl as well as clean briny water for two oyster farms and a popular recreational clam flat. The land is also home to our largest deer wintering area. With great soil quality and abundant wildlife, it is no wonder Westport Island’s earliest settlers were attracked to this land. Numerous historic homestead remains for the Dunton and the Hodgdon families, as well as family cemeteries dot the land. An informal 1.5 mile trail network has been created to acquaint visitors with these sites.

Each Saturday morning at 9, guided tours are being conducted to see the property and its historic sites and to appreciate the potential for recreation on the land. Hiking, dog walking, fishing, hunting, bird watching, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are some of the recreation opportunities presented by this gently sloping land.

Come to tonight’s hearing and learn more about this once in a generation opportunity to protect a part of “Jeremisquam’s" heritage.

Dennis Dunbar

Westport Island Conservation Commission

and Kennebec Estuary Land Trust Board