Latest News – November 5, 2007

Congress Overrides Bush Veto and Passes Water Resources Development Act Authorizing $26.9 Million Camp Ellis/Ferry Beach Preservation Project
Read more at the Save Our Shores website...

The override vote by Congress last week to approve the Water Resources Development Act is great news for all Ferry Beachers. We have taken a huge step toward preserving our dunes, our beach and Ferry Beach itself. As many of you know, one of the primary goals of our current Ferry Beach 2nd Century Fund Capital Campaign is to preserve our dunes and protect the beach from further erosion. More information about our planned dune preservation work will be provided in the next issue of Discovery, the Ferry Beach Newsletter, coming out in the next couple weeks.

Many thanks to all of you who supported our efforts to help pass this bill. It authorizes the $26.9 Million Camp Ellis/Ferry Beach Preservation Project, and was championed by Maine U.S. Representative Tom Allen, new Saco mayor-elect Ron Michaud, and our city councilor-elect Sandy Bastille.

Following are excerpts from a recent article in keepMEcurrent.com that provide more information about what is to come in the next few years regarding this preservation project.

Although many details of the project have yet to be worked out, including who will ultimately be responsible for the upkeep of the erosion prevention measures, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could begin work at Camp Ellis and Ferry Beach by 2009 to create a spur jetty and three off-shore breakwaters designed to deflect waves from Ferry Beach.

Proponents of the proposed Corps of Engineers project believe it will solve erosion problems that threaten the beach and surrounding homes and businesses, while also aiding tourism and business development. They say the federal government, which built the existing jetty in 1869, should fix its mistake.

At Wormwood’s Restaurant earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who helped push the funding through Congress, applauded the work of the Camp Ellis / Ferry Beach property owners who helped bring attention to the erosion issues.

“You have been living with this, in some cases, for decades,” he told the crowd. “You really ought to take a lot of pride. You’ve really pulled through. You’re a model for citizen involvement.”

Though the funding has been authorized, the money still needs to be passed in an appropriation bill, Allen said. But he is not worried. "There have been a lot of bumps in the road, and I can't promise there won't be any more. But we are on a very, very good path now," he said.

"I think this is an enormous step forward," said Ron Michaud, Saco's mayor-elect. "If we can work collectively as we have so far, we'll get it done."

Michaud told the crowd at the restaurant that the case for the project is clear and is backed by science and research. He will continue to make that case to the residents of Saco, he said.

"The numbers are there," Michaud said. "It takes time to explain that this is really a viable and economical project. It's the right thing to do. Man put it out there and created this problem, and man ought to fix it."

Sandy Bastille, city councilor-elect for Ward 4, which includes Camp Ellis and Ferry Beach, echoed Michaud's comments. She said that the jetty project is not just for a small group of homeowners down by the water. "We've got an entire bay at stake," she said.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL – WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

In faith,
Craig Lentz, Executive Director
Rev. Wendy von Zirpolo, Board President