| It
isn’t every day that CCA Maine has the opportunity to
ensure saltwater anglers great fishing access for at least
the next sixty years, but we did just that when Rice’s
Bridge over the York River was reconstructed in 2004.
It
is a long story that began way back in 1998 when the CCA Maine
Government Affairs Committee voted to recommend the introduction
of a piece of legislation to the CCA Maine Board of Directors.
The legislation would require the Maine Department of Transportation
(MDOT) to take into account possible water/fishing access
improvements at every new or rebuilt water crossing in the
state.
Initially,
the legislation was opposed by the MDOT, but with the help
of several legislators and the urging of CCA, the law was
passed: the MDOT would set up procedures to review every new
water crossing and implement improved water/fishing access
wherever possible. Hundreds of projects were reviewed, priorities
were established, bond financing was approved and the program
was underway.
CCA
Maine participated in the reviewing process and identified
Rice’s Bridge as a very high priority opportunity for
improved fishing and watercraft access in the state. Many
of our members live and fish nearby, so this project was very
important to us.
We
recommended sidewalks, carry-in access to the water and additional
off-roadway parking so that fishermen and boaters could park
safely and fish from the bridge, or by boat in the water.
All of these recommendations were accepted by MDOT.
The
picture on page one shows the activities now taking place
at the improved bridge. Bridges last about sixty years, so
saltwater anglers and boaters have a long time to enjoy the
fruits of CCA Maine’s labor.
Next
time you are in York take a ride over this bridge and remember
that CCA Maine’s actions results in the wonderful access
opportunities and the same kind of access improvements have,
and will, take place on hundreds of other new water crossings
throughout Maine.
Thanks
goes to the insightful, grass routes [sic] process that characterizes
CCA Maine.
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