Upstream Watch is Now Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper
Building on the success of its 7-year effort to protect the Little River and Penobscot Bay from the impacts of Nordic Aquaculture’s industrial fish factory, Upstream Watch is charting a new future as Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper to advocate for the protection of the Penobscot Bay watershed.
“We learned a lot from our work concerning Nordic, especially our efforts to understand the impacts of 7.7 million gallons of effluent on the Penobscot Bay,” said Amy Grant, former Director of Upstream Watch, the organization, along with Friends of Harriet Hartley, that led the struggle to protect the Bay and the Little River’s lower ecosystem. “One thing that became incredibly clear is that the Bay, the entire watershed actually, needs an unapologetic advocate to help protect the water, and the livelihoods and economies of our local communities.” Grant concluded by saying that Upstream is very excited to have Pete Nichols, the former International Organizing Director of Waterkeepers, taking the helm as Interim Executive Director. Ethan Shaw, Board President, commented, “As a Mainer and an experienced Waterkeeper, Pete brings exactly what is needed to expand our organization’s dedication to standing firm for the protection of the waters of the entire watershed, and our local economies and culture.”
Upstream Watch, now Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper, is a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a global movement united for clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet with the mission to protect our right to clean water in communities around the world. The Waterkeeper movement was started on the Hudson River in 1966 by fishermen whose livelihood was at stake after industrial pollution devastated the Hudson’s fisheries. These fishermen turned activists sparked the Hudson’s recovery and inspired others to launch Waterkeeper groups. Today, there are more than 300 Waterkeeper programs protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.
Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper will protect and advocate for the health of the Bay and the rivers that feed into these waters through pollution investigations, demanding better enforcement of existing environmental regulations and permits and educating the public about the importance of clean water. Similar to Upstream Watch, the Waterkeeper will be guided by science and informed by current and legacy pollution impacting the Bay and watershed. “It’s crucial that the concerns and needs of the fishing communities, the Penobscot Nation, local businesses that depend on the Bay and the watershed, as well as local governments and communities are boldly advocated for,” said Pete Nichols.
For the past six years, Upstream Watch operated largely as a Belfast-based environmental non-profit organization focused on Nordic Aquafarms’ factory fish farm proposal in Belfast. With the launch of Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper, the organization will initially focus on the permanent protection of the 54-acre former Nordic parcel adjacent to the Little River in addition to building its presence throughout the Penobscot Bay watershed. “Protecting this parcel on the Little River will be our main priority until we get the job done,” said Pete Nichols, “Not only is this parcel important ecologically for the Little River and Penobscot Bay, it is a fantastic natural area that offers free water access where everyone can experience nature.” he continued. “Research is unequivocal concerning the mental and physical benefits of in-town, easy access to open space.” The organization is working with Coastal Mountains Land Trust and others to create a vision for the property.
“Moving forward we plan to take a stand against ill-conceived development projects, encourage a holistic view of the watershed and hold state and federal agencies accountable for enforcing existing laws and regulations. We are excited to be an added voice for the watershed and all of its inhabitants, and look forward to working with partners throughout the watershed,” said Shaw.
As the organization’s reach and mission expands, Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper will be operating under a recently developed strategic plan that prioritizes a holistic approach to being a voice for the watershed through four pillars: Advocate, Investigate, Inspire and Thrive. Each pillar hinges on active and engaged networks of individuals and organizations working collaboratively to unapologetically defend the waters of the Penobscot Bay Watershed.
For more information, please contact Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper’s Interim Executive Director, Pete Nichols, at pete@penbaywaterkeeper.org.