Save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens!

A developer from Kennebunk is proposing to turn the blueberry barrens along Route 172 (Salt Pond Rd) that overlook the Salt Pond as you drive south out of Blue Hill into a 9-house subdivision.

The construction would destroy a unique landscape, potentially limit access to Carleton Stream for commercial elver fishermen and women who have fished it for generations, and potentially endanger local wildlife and aquaculture in and around the Salt Pond.

We want to work with local organizations to see the land preserved and maintained for future generations to enjoy.

Resources

Please make sure to visit our project page at the Blue Hill Community Development website. We're working with the BHCD and the Blue Hill Heritage Trust to make sure the barrens are protected for future generations.

And if you haven't already, make sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date about the most recent developments and what you can do to help.

A Packed House

Photo courtesy of Stephen Greenberg.

More than 150 people packed into the town hall, with another 50 unable to get in, for what was, by all accounts, the largest meeting of the planning board ever. There was unanimous opposition to the development among those who spoke, making it clear that the Barrens are a unique piece of our community that we will not let be turned into a subdivision.

Now we have to keep the pressure on between now and the next meeting of the planning board, which will decide on the proposal..

Next Steps

Save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens (SSPBB) is currently pursuing two tracks: 

• Continue to push for the rejection of the subdivision plan
• Raise funds to purchase the property and donate it to the Blue Hill Heritage Trust.

Much has happened since our October update— some good, some not great. We applauded the Planning Board's intentions to secure outside evaluations, but what exactly that review process includes remains unclear. We have found a fiscal sponsor to accept donations on our behalf, but what we thought would be a simple agreement of terms with the Developer has become a more complicated negotiation.

What remains unchanged is the community's resolve to protect this incomparable site from development and preserve it as a public good. There is a great deal of uncertainty in the world today; there are many things that we cannot control. But, together, we can save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens. At the same time that we protect this treasured scenic view, we will be safeguarding the water quality of the Salt Pond, preserving vital wildlife habitat, securing access to traditional fishing sites, supporting aquaculture jobs, and respecting the cultural and historical significance of the land.

We will update the website and send out email announcements as soon as we have information about next meetings.

NEXT STEPS

Next Planning Board Meeting

WED JAN 8
5:30pm
Blue Hill Town Hall

We expect a discussion of the third party review of the developer's application and encourage everyone who can to attend. 

_____________

Click here to find out how you can help.