Page 8. MAINE COASTAL NEWS February 2010 Waterfront News $19 Million in Grants Issued to Protect Coastal Wetlands


Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the award of $19.2 million to support 25 conservation projects benefit- ing fish and wildlife on more than 6,100 acres of coastal habitat in 11 states through the 2010 National Coastal Wetlands Conserva- tion Grant Program.


The federal grants will be matched by nearly $26 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups. The grants will be used to acquire, re- store or enhance coastal wetlands and adja- cent uplands to provide long-term conserva- tion benefits to fish, wildlife and their habitat. States receiving funds include California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massa- chusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.


“There are few actions we can take that are more important to the health of our envi- ronment, our wildlife and ultimately our coastal communities and their economies than conserving and restoring these vital wetlands,” Salazar said. “The grants I am announcing today will enable us to continue to work in partnership with states, conserva- tion organizations and other partners to ac- quire, protect and restore these vital areas and the fish and wildlife that depend on them.”


The National Coastal Wetlands Conser- vation Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and funded under provisions of the 1990 Coastal Wet- lands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act. Funding is provided by Sport Fish Res- toration Act revenue – money generated from an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels. Including the 2010 grants, the Service has awarded nearly $240 million to coastal states and territories since the program be-


gan in 1992. When the 2010 projects are complete, over 260,000 acres of habitat will have been protected, restored or enhanced. Coastal areas are vitally important to fish and wildlife. They comprise less than 10 per- cent of the nation’s land area yet support the majority of wildlife species, including 75 per- cent of migratory birds, nearly 80 percent of fish and shellfish and about half of all threat- ened and endangered species. The Coastal Program is a vital tool in helping to recover


listed species and maintaining populations of candidate species that depend on coastal habitats.


Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Service’s Coastal Program provides strategic conservation planning and assis- tance in coastal areas. It represents one of the Service’s most popular and effective pro- grams for voluntary, locally-based habitat restoration and protection efforts. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife


Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conserva- tion, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.


Casco Bay Lines Chooses New General Manager


PORTLAND – Casco Bay Island Transportation District, the ferry service that serves the residents of Casco Bay has concluded a nationwide search for a new General Manager. At a special board meeting this morning, the Casco Bay Lines board of directors announced the hiring of Henry (Hank) Berg as the new GM. For the last nine years, Berg has been the COO and President of Taction, an outsourcer of customer service operations located in Waldoboro ME. Under his leadership, Taction has won a number of industry awards, grown profitably and been able to withstand the recent challenging economic environment. Prior to Taction, Berg worked for start-up firms as well as a division of Lockheed Martin Company. Mr. Berg has a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering as well as an MBA from Boston University.


Patrick Flynn, the president of the board of directors for Casco Bay Lines stated “We are extremely pleased to have found someone with Hank’s ability and track record. Our goal was to find a GM with a strong track record of business success with excellent leadership skills. Hank seems to be


THE BOAT SCHOOL America’s oldest boatbuilding school


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With waterfront training in


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For more information on The Boat School, call (207) 853-2518.


The Boat School is an affiliate of   ~ Since 1969 ~


Visit our booth at the Maine


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marine composites, as well as our special summer programs.


a great fit and I believe he will bring a different perspective and a new skill set to the GM position”


In August, the board authorized a search committee to begin work to find a replacement for Catherine Debo who resigned as general manager in June. Matt Hoffner, a board member from Great Diamond Island was the chair of the committee which included other board members, employees and island residents. “We really had a great committee that did an enormous amount of work over the last several months” stated Hoffner. He added


that, “We conducted a nationwide search and had over 130 applicants for the position many of whom were very well qualified. It was a difficult selection process.” About Casco Bay Island Transportation District (CBITD) Lines Casco Bay Lines operates the ferry service for the island owners residing on six islands within the Casco Bay. Casco Bay Lines delivers passengers, freight, mail and vehicles to each of the islands. More information on Casco Bay Lines can be found at their web site at www.cascobaylines.com


Mystery Maine Lighthouse Keeper


For the past 20 years Tim Harrison, editor of Lighthouse Digest, has been searching for photographs of lighthouses keepers and the family members that lived at lighthouses in an effort to save lighthouse history for future generations.


Harrison said, “As time marches on and the people with first-hand memories are lost, it becomes increasingly more difficult to identify people or find out information about them. Such is the case with a recent photograph that was given to us. We were told the image is of Edmund Howe who was a lighthouse keeper at Cape Neddick, ‘Nubble’ Lighthouse in York where he was stationed from 1928 to 1930 when he died of a heart attack while on duty.”


He went on to say that the person who gave him the photograph also thought that Edmund Howe was stationed at Great Duck Island Lighthouse, which is located near Frenchboro, Maine. However, the only Howe they have been able to find is a Samuel Howe who was stationed at Great Duck. “It’s possible that they were related to each other,” said Harrison, “however the records we have are incomplete and we’d like to locate more information about him.” Harrison, who has authored nine lighthouse books and through the magazine, Lighthouse Digest, has uncovered hundreds of lighthouse stories and photographs that they have published over the years, said he is working on several more regional books about lighthouses and would love to locate additional photographs of lighthouse keepers and family members who grew up at the lighthouses. He went on to say, “It would be a shame to have a book published and not include a photograph of someone’s ancestor that would then be preserved for all future generations. Once a book is published it’s too late to include the photo.”


Harrison’s books include Lighthouses of the Sunrise County, which is about lighthouse life in Washington County, Maine, Lighthouses of Bar Harbor and the Acadia Region and Portland Head Light, which also includes some of the lighthouses of Casco Bay. His most current release is Ghost Lights of Michigan and he is currently working on a book about lighthouses on


This photograph is believed to be that of Maine lighthouse keeper Edmund Howe. Lighthouse historian and author Tim Harrison, who is also publisher of Lighthouse Digest, is searching for additional information and photographs of Howe as well as photographs of other lighthouse keepers. He is hoping the public will send him images of their ancestors who served as lighthouse keepers or family members that lived at the lighthouses.”


Lake Erie and two different books about Maine’s lighthouses. Many of his more in- depth historical discoveries, as well as current lighthouse news, are also published in Lighthouse Digest.


Harrison said he hopes the public will search their attics and family albums and share photographs and other documentation with him to help preserve lighthouse history. He’s quick to point out that he does not need original photographs and that it is now easy to make duplicates of old photos or computer scan them and e-mail them to him. Harrison can be contacted at Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 250, East Machias, ME 04630 or by calling 207-259- 2121 or by e-mail at Editor@LighthouseDigest.com.


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