Eastern Trail
News

September 2003 EASTERN TRAIL NEWS

+ Victory in Congress & Maine Legislature
+ Scarborough Marsh Crossing Update
+ Sharing the ETA office with ETMD?
+ ETA Grants 
+ ETA Membership Boom
+ Newfields-Manchester Rail-Trail Ride Sunday 12 October
+ Eastern Trail-a-Thon Saturday 4 October. Events for every level.
+ Advance notice Feb 6-8 2004 Full Moon X-Country ski weekend. 

Victory in Congress! Victory in the Maine Legislature!
The US House of Representatives restored $600 million in dedicated bike/ped funding
for 2004. Maine's Legislature in a special session voted to include $1.25 million for
Maine's bicycle and pedestrian community. Together, these two victories provide
Maine with $5 million for its transportation enhancement projects such as the Eastern
Trail. We thank you and our legislators and Congressional representative for these
victories.

Scarborough Marsh Crossing - Update
Despite disappointment that the ET was not built across Scarborough Marsh this
summer, progress is being made. DEP approved the project. Inland Fish and Wildlife
that manages the Marsh for the People of Maine, signed an agreement. Scarborough
Sanitary District signed an agreement. The remaining agreement is with the Granite State
Gas a member of the NiSource family of utilities that more visibly includes Maine's local
gas company Northern Utilities. 

Sharing the ETA office with ETMD?
ETA has offered to share its Saco office with the Management District in an attempt to
reduce the cost of professional services. An ETMD committee is reviewing methods for
reducing these costs. 

ETA Grants 
An anonymous donor gave ETA $1K in unrestricted funds with encouragement that the
funds be used for an outdoor ETA exhibit shelter. It's on order. Thanks. Come see
ETA at several upcoming events such as Saco's Great Pumpkin Race. 

ETA Membership Boom
ETA has grown to more than 260 memberships now representing more than 600
individuals. See www.EasternTrail.Org to join on-line with a certified-secure, encrypted
credit card interface. 

Newfields-Manchester Rail-Trail Ride Sunday 12 October
Bike a real rail-trail; experience what the Eastern Trail will become. Hybrid or mountain
bike required. No tiny-wheel road bikes. Please don't come if you do not occasionally
bike at least 50 miles. Bring trail snacks & water. Helmets required. Meet near Exeter,
New Hampshire at 9 a.m. to begin the ride. Leader: Eastern Trail Alliance Trustee
Bruce Wakefield. Send e-mail to co-leader John Andrews at JAndrews@GWI.Net for
more information, to register, arrange carpools and directions to meeting location. 

Second Annual Eastern Trail Trail-A-Thon Saturday, October 4, 2003

Following the success of the first Eastern Trail Alliance in October 2002, ETA Trustee
Kevin Dawson organized our 2003 event. The goal is to introduce bike riders, walker
and others to the On-Road Eastern Trail. The On-Road ET is marked with signs from
Kittery to Casco Bay. A no-cost trail guide with maps is available for downloading from
www.EasternTrail.Org. Come enjoy it!

Final community event plans are set for the 2003 Eastern Trail Trail-A-Thon.  Click here to visit the page with information so you can choose an event to join!

Feb 6-8 2004 Full Moon X-Country ski weekend. 
Ski from a hunting lodge. Hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails. 10-15 scenic Ohh
and Ahh miles Saturday. Ski Flagstaff Lake under the shadow of Bigelow Mountain on
Sunday. All meals included. Private rooms. Hot showers. Drive to door. $150 per
person. Send e-mail to Jandrews@GWI.net for more information and to register. Open
to ETA Members only until January, 2004.

A highway takes your car to the country, a greenway your mind. 
- Charles Little

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office