From pristine, crystal-clear water to breathtaking vistas of undeveloped slopes,
let’s keep Merrymeeting clean, together, forever.
Momentum for Merrymeeting
Since 2018, the community has rallied to protect the forested hills and ridges surrounding Merrymeeting Lake and preserve its water quality, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and recreational value. SELT has reached agreements to acquire two more ridges overlooking Merrymeeting Lake: Mount Bet and Mount Jesse.
The two properties represent key parcels in a larger vision of connecting protected lands around the entire lake and securing the permanent conservation of the forested ridges and helping sustain the high water quality of one of the cleanest lakes in the state.
The tracts include 376 acres on the flanks and top of Mount Bet. This property abuts SELT’s Collins Family Forest at Mount Molly; together the properties total more than 800 acres with a network of public trails on the north shore of Merrymeeting.
At the east end of the lake, SELT has the opportunity to acquire ownership of 617 acres and a conservation easement on 27 acres atop Mount Jesse. Mount Jesse abuts the 2,600-acre Birch Ridge Community Forest and is linked to a 5,400-acre block of conserved forestland centered on the Moose Mountains.
Community Perspective
In May of 2024, SELT and MMLA conducted a community survey to collect public opinion on land conservation, recreation and stewardship priorities. The survey’s goal was to inform conservation priorities and identify watershed stewardship concerns. The summary report can be viewed at seltnh.org/mmlsurvey. The survey confirmed that in all regards – from conservation to recreation to stewardship – water quality and wildlife habitat should be top of mind for SELT and partner efforts.
Conservation Concerns
The three highest priorities identified by respondents as ‘very important’ or ‘important’ were Clean Water (99%), Healthy Wildlife Populations / Habitats (96%), and Sustainable Forestry (82%). Geographically, at least 80% of respondents identified the remaining unconserved areas – including Mt. Jesse and Mt. Bet - as important or very important for future conservation.
82% or more of respondents reported being “very concerned” or “concerned” about each of the following risks directly related to clean water:
- Degradation of water quality (94%)
- Invasive aquatic species (96%)
- Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) (94%)
Recreation Goals
Water quality and wildlife habitat are again the top considerations that SELT should consider for trail design, building, and maintenance. Trail visibility, signage, and parking were all identified as improvements that would make existing trails more user friendly. Opinions both for and against certain recreational uses, like horseback riding, ATVs, and snowmobiles, were expressed, as well as the use of trails for commercial purposes. On the water, respondents had the most feedback on boat traffic and wakeboarding, uses regulated by state law and beyond what SELT can address.
Stewardship Goals
Water quality and wildlife again topped the priorities for SELT’s stewardship of watershed lands, including the pending purchase of Mount Jesse. The survey revealed a consensus to focus on stewardship of the existing trail network before adding or expanding trails, improving signage, markers, and maps to improve the visitor experience, and support for a parking area and trailhead on King’s Highway for the Mount Jesse addition.