Dear Editor:

At a public hearing last Wednesday, only two Alna citizens spoke in favor of a ballot measure to change the town’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, to permit “permanent structures” below the Sheepscot River’s normal high water line. Many more citizens, as well as a Newcastle resident across the river and the executive director of the Midcoast Conservancy, spoke in opposition. The ballot measure will be voted on on March 27.

The two proponents were the person who submitted the proposed change, and Jeff Spinney, whose project to excavate a private stone boat ramp on the river has roiled the town for over a year.

Alna’s current Shoreland Zoning Ordinance prohibits “permanent structures” below the normal high water line. This strict standard has protected our forested riverbanks and tidal marshes from development, and has preserved an invaluable public resource for everyone to enjoy, on the water or via shoreline trails, now and into the future.

Just the previous week, Alna’s Board of Appeals affirmed our town’s strict standard. The Board ruled that excavated, surfaced boat ramps are indeed “permanent structures,” and that the Planning Board was in error when it issued a permit for Spinney’s ramp in December.

Jeff Spinney’s ramp is the only such ramp in Alna upriver from Sheepscot Village. As a result of the Board of Appeals’ decision, it has no valid local permit. It should be removed and the riverbank and marsh restored to their natural conditions.

Alna’s (and Newcastle’s) citizens have enjoyed boating, swimming, fishing, and hunting on the Sheepscot River for many generations; riverside landowners can and do install temporary, seasonal docks and floats. Our Shoreland Zoning Ordinance has served us well, and the proposed change on this month’s ballot is unnecessary and unwarranted. It would threaten the river’s environmental and public values, and it was far too hastily drafted and introduced. We should all vote “no” on March 27.

Jon Luoma

Alna