Acadia National Park’s Carriage Roads Sustain Extensive Damage from Severe Rainstorm

 Acadia National Park’s carriage roads and other park facilities sustained extensive damage from a severe rainstorm in the early hours of June 9, 2021. Ten miles of the 45-mile carriage road system in the park (22 percent) remain closed, along with the Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur de Monts, Schoodic bike paths, and Schoodic Head Road. Hiking trails are open, but certain sections, including foot bridges, may be washed out. Hikers should use caution and avoid crossing damaged sections. 

 

The short duration and intensity of the rainstorm makes it one of the most exceptional weather events in the park’s history. The peak of rainstorm occurred between 4:30 and 7:30 am on June 9 with rainfall totals varying widely across the park. The recorded rainfall totals in the park ranged from 2.5 inches at Jordan Pond to 4.7 inches at the Cadillac Summit. The U.S. Geological Survey stream gage at Otter Creek reached a stage (water level height) of almost 10 feet during the peak of the rainstorm, an increase of 8.5 feet from the week before.  

 

“Thousands of visitors enjoy the carriage roads every day of the summer, and we recognize the importance of opening them as soon as possible,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider. “We will seek emergency funds and use emergency contracting procedures to repair the damage within the next few months.” 

 

While the National Park Service is still surveying the damage throughout the park, the carriage roads were hit hardest by the rainstorm. The historic carriage roads were constructed from 1913 to 1940 and engineered to withstand heavy rainfall. The carriage roads consist of three layers of rock graduating from large to fine-sized stones at the surface with a substantial crown to ensure good drainage.  Stone culverts and deep ditches provide channels to direct runoff away from the gravel surface of the carriage roads.   

 

The rainstorm was so intense that the volume of water overwhelmed the drainage features and washed out significant portions of the closed carriage roads making them unsafe for visitor use. In many locations, the top two layers of rocks were completely removed. 

 

In addition to the 10 miles of carriage roads closed due to the storm damage, 6.3 miles of carriage roads remain closed for the planned reconstruction of the loop around Eagle Lake. For specific information on the carriage road closures and updates on current conditions, please visit https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. 

 

To view this news release online, visit AcadiaNews. 

 

For more information on Acadia National Park, please visit nps.gov/acad or call 207-288-3338. Join online conversations on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram. 

 

www.nps.gov 

 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at nps.gov, on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 

Island Connections celebrates 16,000 meals served

 Island Connections provided more than 16,000 meals and more than 3,600 rides in 2020, ensuring that senior citizens and people with disabilities on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding islands had access to food and vital medical appointments during the pandemic.

Inspired by this, three families are teaming up to match up to $16,000 donated to Island Connections between June 16 and July 16. John and Betsy Cochran have joined the owners of the Bar Harbor Campground and Coastal Kayaking Tours/Acadia Bike to fund the Provide A Ride $16K Matching Challenge.

Island Connections is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides rides to medical appointments including lifesaving treatments, delivers Meals on Wheels meals, and does grocery shopping for people who cannot do it for themselves.

“We are here to help those in need of transportation services or who experience food insecurity on the island to support their needs where they are,” says Doreen Willett, executive director of Island Connections. “Our commitment has only become stronger as we move forward through this time. Please help us ‘Provide A Ride’ by donating to our matching challenge.”

To make a donation, go online at www.islconnections.org/supporting-islandconnections/ProvideARideMatch; mail a check to Island Connections at 93 Cottage St., Suite 101, Bar Harbor ME 04609; or stop by the Island Connection offices to drop your donation in the secure donation box there.

“We are so fortunate to have this service and drivers for our community and area!” said the owner of Bar Harbor Campground, Binky MacQuinn. “Supporting Island Connections is a wonderful way to help so many others.” 

Governor Mills Announces State of Civil Emergency To End June 30th

 

June 11, 2021

Governor Janet Mills announced today that Maine’s State of Civil Emergency will end June 30, 2021 – the end of this month.

“Today, we take another important step forward in our return to normal,” said Governor Janet Mills. “After fifteen long, difficult months, ending the State of Civil Emergency is a welcome milestone that reflects the progress Maine has made in getting people vaccinated, reducing the spread of the virus, and getting back to normal. Maine people have persevered, and, although challenges remain, we will get through them together just as we did this past year. I congratulate and thank Maine people for all they have done to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their fellow citizens.”

The Governor temporarily extended the current State of Civil Emergency, which was set to expire on Sunday, June 13, through June 30, 2021, to ensure an orderly transition out of the emergency, allowing State government departments to continue necessary pandemic-related services. During this time, departments will identify any policies that may need temporary extensions past June 30, 2021, such as flexibilities for child care providers and home-and community-based services given ongoing pandemic-related challenges.

The State’s last remaining face covering requirement, which only applies to indoor preK-12 schools and child care settings, will also end on June 30, 2021. However, Maine CDC will continue to recommend, though not require, that unvaccinated people – including those under 12 who are not yet eligible for a COVID vaccine – wear face coverings indoors. School Administrative Units and child care settings may require face coverings, as some businesses have done. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services continues to encourage schools to participate in its free pooled testing program, which reduces the spread of the virus in schools and eliminates the need for quarantining for participating students and staff who are asymptomatic.

“The guidance for schools, including recommended face coverings indoors for unvaccinated people, will help protect the health and safety of students and staff as COVID-19 continues to impact our communities,” said Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Department of Education. “We celebrate our state’s success in navigating the pandemic, but recommend schools maintain protocols and participate in the pooled testing program, recognizing that many children are not yet eligible for vaccination.”

The State of Civil Emergency allowed the Governor to implement public health measures and deploy all available governmental tools to respond to and contain COVID-19. As of June 11, most states in the nation still have active emergency declarations, according to the National Governors Association.

Maine continues to demonstrate nation-leading progress in administering vaccinations and containing the spread of COVID-19. More than 73 percent of Maine people age 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 64.9 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. CDC vaccination tracker. Maine, adjusted for population, also ranks 4^th lowest in total number of cases and 4^th lowest in number of deaths from COVID-19, according to the U.S. CDC.

Call to Artists & Art Donors: A Celebration of Art Silent Auction 2021 Library Benefit

 The Southwest Harbor Public Library invites artists and art donors to submit a unique piece of art for our 2021 Celebration of Art Silent Auction Library Benefit on display from August 1 to 27. Art donors, we welcome donations of art by local artists or artwork that has relevance to our area. The auction is the largest fundraiser to support library programs. Please consider donating 100% of the proceeds from your artwork sales. In recognition that this is not always possible, the Library will split the top bid on your work 50/50 if you indicate this choice on your registration form. 

To participate, please complete the online form and return it by Saturday, July 17. You may also print the form and return it to the circulation desk or email it to ArtAuction@swhplibrary.org. View details and registration at www.swhplibrary.org. 

The staff and trustees of the library deeply appreciate your willingness to share your artistic creativity. By participating in this Celebration, you are a great support to the Library, and we thank you! If you have questions, please contact us at 244-7065 or via email at ArtAuction@swhplibrary.org. The Library is now open to walk-ins, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

The Southwest Harbor Fire Department announces the passing of active member, Deputy Chief Sam Chisholm

 It is with great sadness that the Southwest Harbor Fire Department announces the passing of active member, Deputy Chief Sam Chisholm. Deputy Chief Chisholm passed away unexpectedly at his home on 7 June 2021.

Deputy Chief Chisholm served the Southwest Harbor Community for 43 years, joining the department in 1978. Over his many years of courageous and dedicated service Sam held multiple positions in public safety, including; Firefighter, Fire Captain, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Chief, Dispatcher, Police Officer as well as working on the ambulance.

The loss of Deputy Chief Chisholm leaves the Southwest Harbor Fire Department with a void that will be near impossible to fill and sadness that we will carry with us forever.

Per request of Deputy Chief Chisholm’s family, any sympathy cards or monetary donations may be made payable and delivered to:
Southwest Harbor Fire Association
PO Box 666
Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679

Updates on services along with any other information the family releases will be posted on social media and sent via email through Mary Ellen Martel.

We ask that you keep Deputy Chief Chisholm’s family in your thoughts and prayers, and please do not attempt to contact them in this difficult time. All correspondence shall be directed to Capt. Colton Sanborn.

Regretfully,
Colton Sanborn
Captain
Southwest Harbor Fire Department
(207) 266-9175
csanborn@swhfire.org 

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Help support Chris's Pond

 

The Town of Southwest Harbor has the opportunity to apply for a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to pay for recreational improvements on both a new parcel of land and to the existing town property at Chris’s Pond. 

Thank you to everyone who has voiced support for this project. 

You can help with the next step by attending our Town Meeting on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10 am the Southwest Harbor Fire Station. Warrant Article 43 is an opportunity for voters to authorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application and support this exciting opportunity to improve Chris’s Pond.