News Release

Failing Utility Line To Be Replaced on Schoodic Peninsula

Date: February 8, 2019
Contact: Christie Anastasia, 207-288-8806

BAR HARBOR, MAINE – To begin the process of replacing a 2.8-mile section of an overhead utility line on the Schoodic Peninsula within Acadia National Park staff will begin with vegetation removal under the lines on Monday February 11. This utility line supplies electricity, phone, and internet services to several federal facilities near Schoodic Point and to park partner Schoodic Institute. The utility line is 50 years old and the poles supporting the utilities have rotted and are at risk of collapsing. The first phase of this replacement is to clear overgrown vegetation growing into the current overhead lines while construction and design documents are being developed.

This project will employ best management practices to minimize impacts to wetlands along the work corridor. The majority of this work will occur in the winter months when the ground is frozen and temporary mats will be strategically placed to protect soils from compaction. To protect the federally threatened Northern Long-Eared Bat’s tree-roosting habitat, tree cutting will only occur after October 15 and before April 1. A rare plant survey identified locations where soils will not be disturbed to protect specific plant species. Crews will be burning the brush piles on location and occasional smoke rising from the area of the utility line replacement area may be visible at times.

This utility line replacement project is funded through entrance fees to Acadia National Park and this initial phase of work is being completed by National Park Service employees. Please contact Daniel Meggison, Facilities Project Manager, Acadia National Park at [phone] or e-mail us if you have questions regarding this work.