Permanently Conserving Former Nordic Aquafarms Parcel

---

Belfast, Maine  –  Upstream Watch entered into a contract to purchase a 54 acre parcel along the Little River in Belfast. The parcel is owned by Nordic Aquafarms, a Norwegian owned corporation that recently abandoned its $500 million salmon factory proposal. Upstream Watch is a grass-roots organization formed to evaluate the Nordic project and now looks to leverage their success ensuring this land is never developed.

“We all understand that as long as that parcel remains on the market, it is vulnerable to another ill conceived project,” said Amy Grant, former president of Upstream Watch. “Going forward we will be advocating for the entire Penobscot Bay Watershed as Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper, but making sure the Little River ecosystem is protected means we will have completed our commitment to our supporters, the Bay and the Little River,” she stated. 

The Little River in Belfast, with its public walking trail, swimming holes, wetlands, marturing forest and meadow lands, boasts a stunning open view and access to Penobscot Bay.  “This land is deeply cared for by the community and the location and ecology of this property are very rare along the Midcoast,” explains Pete Nichols, Upstream’s Interim Executive Director.  

“This land along the Little River offers unique recreational opportunities and the forest and wetlands are critical to the health of the Little River, Penobscot Bay, the climate and wildlife,” said Ethan Shaw, President of Upstream Watch.   “It took a team effort to prevent Nordic from irreparably destroying the Little River parcel and polluting Penobscot Bay. Preserving this land for the good of the Bay, the Little River and the community is a terrific end to a long and difficult struggle. We’re excited to help make this vision a reality.”

Just as defeating the Nordic project was a team effort including Friends of Harriet Hartley, Upstream Watch looks forward to partnering with several local and regional conservation organizations, and all community members who are committed to protecting and preserving this special place for generations to come. “It’s wonderful to be working to protect a parcel that meets so many ecological and community needs all at once! But, we’re going to need everyone’s help to make this happen,” Nichols concluded.

To make a donation towards the purchase and permanent protection of the former Nordic Aquafarms parcel, please visit this link.

For more information,  please contact Pete Nichols, Interim Executive Director, or visit www.upstreamwatch.org.

###########

Upstream Watch boldly advocates for the health of Penobscot Bay Watershed through science, public action and community engagement.   Learn more at www.upstreamwatch.org