The West Branch Pleasant River Project is made possible through the collaboration of a diverse group of partners and stakeholders, many of whom meet regularly to discuss ideas, data, and decisions.
Project Committees
Coordinating Committee
Interagency team responsible for facilitating project management. Current members include representatives from Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF), Maine Department of Marine Resources (Maine DMR), The Nature Conservancy in Maine (TNC Maine), Maine Coastal Program (MCP), and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT).
Technical Advisory Committee
Technical team mainly responsible for reviewing reports, designs, and data, comprised of representatives from funding and scientific partners, select stakeholders, and select contractors. Current members include representatives from Downeast Salmon Federation, Maine Department of Marine Resources, The Nature Conservancy in Maine, Maine Coastal Program, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Downeast Coastal Conservancy (DCC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Maine Geological Survey (MGS), and Inter-Fluve, Inc (IFI).
Outreach Committee
Communications-focused group responsible for developing outreach materials and facilitating conversation with stakeholders. Current members include representatives from Downeast Salmon Federation, Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Coastal Program, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Downeast Coastal Conservancy, and Inter-Fluve, Inc.
Financial Supporters
Project funding is obtained mainly through state and federal grants. In addition to grant administration and management, some of these funders also provide technical expertise and personnel capacity
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management (OCM)
- Maine Office of Community Affairs’ (MOCA) Maine Coastal Program (MCP)
- Maine Department of Marine Resources (Maine DMR)
- Private Foundations
Certain information contained on this internet site was prepared by Downeast Salmon Federation or its subcontractors under award CZM NA23NOS4730113 to the Maine Coastal Program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.
Major Collaborators
Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF)
DSF has been involved with the West Branch Project for over 20 years. As a member of the West Branch Study Committee, they helped begin the conversation around possible alternatives to the Addison tide gates, and in the intervening years have led efforts to study the current conditions of the system and feasibility of restoration. They currently provide ongoing project support, chair project committees, manage grants and contracts, and conduct community outreach. DSF is also responsible for producing and maintaining this website.
Maine Department of Marine Resources (Maine DMR)
The Maine Department of Marine Resources provides technical guidance on project activities meant to conserve and restore Maine’s estuary and marine species and their habitats. This includes the improvement of road crossings to allow free passage for aquatic organisms and natural habitat function. They are also involved with seeking, delivering, and managing certain grant funds.
Maine Coastal Program (MCP)
The Maine Coastal Program is the primary funder of the current planning project on the West Branch of the Pleasant River, which includes improvements to salt marsh habitat, fish passage, and transportation infrastructure in the face of sea level rise and other coastal hazards. MCP partnered with Downeast Salmon Federation for project management and implementation using funding from NOAA Grant #NA23NOS4730113. MCP provides technical guidance on the use of CoastWise for transportation infrastructure resilience, habitat rehabilitation, and improved connectivity.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT)
MCHT has been an active partner on the West Branch Project for decades and remains committed to helping find a positive solution for the Addison community and its significant marsh habitat. Since 1970, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) has been conserving lands and waters that help ensure Maine’s ecological wellbeing and its thriving communities. MCHT partners with individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities to conserve critical wildlife habitat, coastal watersheds, water access sites, downtown greenspaces, and places for people to explore. MCHT’s priorities are mitigating the impacts of climate change on the coast, protecting vulnerable plants and animals, and expanding water access.
Downeast Coastal Conservancy (DCC)
DCC is a donor funded non-profit organization that conserves many acres of wetland along the West Branch in Addison and Columbia. As a conservation landowner, they are invested to find a solution that benefits both the environment and people of the area. Their mission is to conserve essential ecological habitats, engage the local community, and foster an environment where wildlife and people thrive in coastal Washington County, Maine.
The Nature Conservancy in Maine (TNC Maine)
The Nature Conservancy in Maine has worked alongside partners on the West Branch Project for over a decade to enhance community resilience while restoring one of Maine’s most important coastal habitats. Since 1956, they have helped protect almost 2.5 million acres in the state and currently owns and manages more than 300,000 acres, constituting the largest system of nature preserves in the state. Today, with a mission to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends, TNC in Maine is taking action to protect land, restore waterways, work toward a healthy and sustainable ocean, address and mitigate the effects of climate change and connect people and nature—in Maine and around the world.
Towns (Addison and Columbia)
The West Branch Pleasant River flows through the towns of Addison and Columbia, Maine, and any changes to the tide gates or marsh will be felt by local residents. Throughout the investigatory phases of the project, Downeast Salmon Federation and State partners have provided periodic updates to the Select Boards of both towns. The Project Team expects that as certain project elements move closer to the implementation phase, the Towns will become more actively involved in the decision-making process.
Paid Contractors
Inter-Fluve
Inter-Fluve is an employee-owned firm that specializes in investigations, design, and restoration of rivers, lakes, estuaries and wetlands. Their projects aim to heal aquatic ecosystems through applied science and engineering. Since 1984, they have completed over 2,000 projects across all regions of the United States and on four continents. Read more about their work in estuaries here.
C.A. White and Associates, LLC
C.A. White and Associates participates in all phases of environmental projects including field investigations, data collection, interpretation and report preparation. Carol White has over 20 years experience providing consulting services on geologic, hydrogeologic and engineering projects. Visit their website here.