Grant awarded for the acquisition of 279-acres at Branch Lake
June 13, 2023, Ellsworth, ME – The City of Ellsworth was preliminarily awarded $92,500.00 toward the purchase of a parcel of land on the eastern shore of Branch Lake in Ellsworth through the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program. The LMF program advances the State of Maine’s commitment to preserve and protect natural resources while ensuring public access to recreational lands.
The 279-acre Branch Lake expansion is located within six miles of downtown Ellsworth. This land expands and connects the existing public forests owned by the City of Ellsworth. The addition not only increases the recreational assets for residents and visitors, it expands the safeguarding of Branch Lake, the public drinking water supply for Ellsworth. As a service center for Hancock County, Ellsworth’s drinking water supply provides support for families and businesses who provide goods and services to over 3 million visitors who stay in and pass through Ellsworth.
This purchase is supported by Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) who has a long history of working with the City of Ellsworth to protect natural lands while promoting community investment. Frenchman Bay Conservancy is the local land trust for eastern Hancock County, with a mission to conserve distinctive ecosystems, lands, and waters for the benefit of all, from the Union River and Frenchman Bay watersheds east to the Hancock County line. The FBC will hold an easement over the new addition and will work with City staff to coordinate the design and maintenance of the land and future trail systems. FBC currently holds easements over several recreational sites in Ellsworth and surrounding areas such as the Riverwalk in Downtown Ellsworth, Jordan Homestead Preserve, Indian Point Preserve, and the Branch Lake Public Forest located off of Route 1A.
For questions or further information, please contact the Ellsworth City Planner, Matt Williams, at mwilliams@ellsworthmaine.gov or (207)669-6615 or Frenchman Bay Conservancy Director of Communication and Community Engagement, Ellerie Ezekiel, at ellie@frenchmanbay.org or (207)422-2328
Official Announcement from Governor Janet Mills: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-announces-nine-new-land-maines-future-conservation-projects-2023-06-02
