The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) and its partners raised more than $2.5 million to purchase a 500-foot, 50-mile conservation corridor on Spednic Lake and the upper St. Croix River, which they assigned today to the people of the State of Maine. The project completes a decade-long conservation effort by the State, the Province of New Brunswick, the St. Croix International Waterway Commission and the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust to protect one of the most pristine stretches of boundary water in eastern North America.

The 3,000 plus-acre conservation purchase includes a 500-foot shoreland corridor along 16 miles of Spednic Lake and 34 miles of the upper St. Croix River, plus several islands.

Maine Governor John Elias Baldacci, in his first land conservation news conference, praised the acquisition. “This special area is a treasure. It exemplifies the values we are seeking to protect through the Land for Maine’s Future Program.” The Governor also lauded NEFF and its partners for enabling the state to protect the unique historic, ecological, scenic, recreational and economic values along the state’s border with New Brunswick. “Thanks to the New England Forestry Foundation, this jewel of a waterway will now be preserved in perpetuity for its exceptional resources and backcountry recreation opportunities,” said Governor Baldacci.

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This spectacular corridor is located on the U.S./Canada border between the State of Maine and Province of New Brunswick. In 1994, by Executive Order, the two governments implemented a long-term plan for the entire St. Croix waterway that included permanent protection of the Spednic and upper St. Croix River area. Over the last decade, the governments have made progress toward this goal through a series of acquisitions and easements, actively supported by the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust and the St. Croix International Waterway Commission.

The Governor was joined at the State House in Augusta by Tom Colgan, President of Wagner Forest Management, land manager for the owner who sold the corridor to the New England Forestry Foundation, and Hank Swan, former President of Wagner Forest Management. “The public values along this corridor are so exceptional, we knew if we were patient the project would succeed,” noted Colgan. NEFF’s Executive Director Amos Eno applauded the landowner for working cooperatively to insure success. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to Hank Swan, whose steadfast and creative leadership has greatly expanded land conservation in Maine,” he said.

Eno also singled out Dale Wheaton of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust for his “unwavering commitment to protecting the wilderness character and natural resources along Spednic Lake.” “Thanks also to Lee Sochasky of the St. Croix International Waterway Commission, whose planning and research helped both governments cconserve the values of this outstanding corridor,” Eno added.

The upper St. Croix was recognized as one of state’s twenty Outstanding Rivers in the 1982 Maine Rivers Study. As one of the most undeveloped major river corridors in the northeastern United States, it is a favorite destination for families and outdoor groups seeking a near -wilderness setting and wildlife viewing opportunities. Nearly 5,000 people paddle it each year, though the river feels uncrowded because of its constant turns through an unspoiled landscape. The St. Croix supports a recovering population of Atlantic salmon and is the site of international research on this species.

Spednic Lake was identified as Maine’s third largest undeveloped lake in the 1987 Maine Wildland Lakes Assessment. Its stunning landscape, created by retreating glaciers, attracts naturalists and canoeists. The lake supports one of Maine’s last remaining native landlocked salmon fisheries and some of the best smallmouth bass habitat in the North America.

The lake and river corridor is a principal breeding ground for the region’s bald eagle population and contains a number of rare plant habitats and old growth tree stands.

In the 1990s, Maine protected 20 miles of Spednic shoreline and a number its islands through a series of acquisitions and easements. New Brunswick acquired nearly all of the Canadian side of the lake and river, created an 11-island ecological reserve on the river and recently designated a 100-square miles beside Spednic Lake as a provincial Protected Natural Area. The New Brunswick side of the St. Croix waterway is one of Canada's 26 Canadian Heritage Rivers.

With this announcement the last significant unprotected tracts of land on Spednic Lake and the upper St. Croix River will be conserved forever said Governor Baldacci. “Under this and future administrations” Governor Baldacci said, “the Maine Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands will manage the river corridor primarily for low-impact recreation, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will manage the Spednic Lake portion, primarily for wildlife.”

The Land For Maine’s Future Program was the project’s major sponsor, contributing $1.435 million. The Department of Conservation contributed $175,000 of Federal Land and Water Conservation funds that they administer. The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, supported by a statewide wildlife lottery, also contributed $50,000. The Woodie Wheaton Land Trust committed $120,000 to the project, which was also supported by major contributions from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Sweet Water Trust, Maine Community Foundation, the Essex County Community Foundation, the C.F. Adams Charitable Trust and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

In total, 70 individual and foundation donors contributed amounts ranging from $10 to more than $100,000. “In these tough economic times, it is particularly gratifying to know that so many conservation donors remain committed to seeing that projects of this importance are a success,” said Amos Eno.