RC&D plans annual tour
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
St. John Aroostook RC&D officials are preparing for their annual tour, which will take place on Friday, Aug. 12, and include stops at several destinations throughout Aroostook County.
“The St. John Aroostook RC&D is still a very much functioning entity, although operating on a somewhat smaller scale since budget cuts at the federal level forced the elimination of the national RC&D program under the NRCS umbrella,” said Chair Paul Bernier.
Bernier said the local branch is fiscally stable.
“We stand on our own and are financially sound at this time. We will continue to support our member communities and work with our project partners throughout our service area,” he said.
Despite cutbacks, Bernier said the organization will continue to work on community projects.
“Although we no longer have the services of Skip Babineau, our past coordinator, we can continue to have input in projects by providing some technical assistance, and also possibly passing on projects and clients to other NRCS agencies and staff,” said Bernier. “Moving forward, we feel that we can continue to be a very useful tool and link for project partners on current projects and also on future endeavors.”
Instead of a regular meeting, officials have planned a day-long tour of County businesses and projects on Friday, Aug. 12.
“The St. John Aroostook RC&D’s next major event will be our annual Summer Tour. This will be held on Aug. 12 and will involve touring four project locations throughout central and northern Aroostook County,” said Bernier.
Bernier said plans are to meet at the USDA Service Center in Presque Isle (behind the Oriental Pearl on Main St.) at 8 a.m. where transportation will be provided with rented vans.
“From there, we’ll travel to Northeast Pellets in Ashland, then depart around 9:45 a.m. for Irving Pinkham Mill in Ashland. At 10:45 a.m. the group will depart for Fort Kent, where participants will take part in a presentation on the annual Muskie Fishing Derby, then on to Rock’s Family Diner in Fort Kent where the Council will hold a short membership meeting,” explained Bernier.
At 1:15 p.m., the group will head to Frenchville’s public boat landing, for a tour and presentation on efforts and funding sources for expanded access to the St. John River. From there, members will travel south to Caribou.
“We’ll head to Caribou to view and tour the Caribou Connector road project which is currently under construction. Plans are to return to the USDA Service Center by 4 p.m.,” said Bernier.
For more information, contact Bernier at 493-3318 or e-mail paul@aroostook.me.us; or Tony Levesque, treasurer, at 472-3805 or e-mail tlevesque@fortfairfield.org.
