KELT tidal-restoration coordinator presents tidal crossing concerns to Georgetown Conservation Commission

Kyler Phillips, Tidal Restoration Coordinator at the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT), spoke to the Georgetown Conservation Commission on April 14 via Zoom about tidal crossing concerns in Georgetown and described KELT’s past work and future plans.

Chair Jessica Weller introduced Phillips and the agenda item, which the commission said was intended to highlight places where road or crossing infrastructure affects tidal marsh hydrology. Phillips outlined the group’s focus on assessing crossings and identifying sites for restoration or replacement to improve tidal flow and marsh function.

Commission members noted coordination at a recent Mid-Coast Council of Governments regional meeting, where several commissioners met KELT staff. Bronwen Tudor highlighted that commissioner Ruth Indrick had led a grant proposal for tidal marsh restoration that, according to the minutes, would fund replacement of several pieces of tidal infrastructure; minutes state the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the funder of that grant.

The commission recorded that the Georgetown selectboard is preparing a letter in support of KELT’s infrastructure grant application. Commissioners discussed next steps for local coordination and for aligning any town-level requests with KELT’s restoration priorities.

The commission did not take a formal vote on a specific project during the meeting; members noted the selectboard letter and grant process as the immediate developments to monitor.