06/23/2025
https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/06/22/swan-island-ferry-restoration-effort-makes-slow-progress-over-ifw-objection/
Swan Island is the jewel next door but, today, there is less access as there has been under IF&W control.
There is no other Wildlife Management Area (WMA) like Swan Island, but, IF&W wants to treat it like every other WMA. They refuse to own its uniqueness and would rather Swan Island fade away from history than to make any change for public access.
The theme for Richmond Days is "Camp Richmond" and we have Swan Island in our own backyard with amazing campsites that the public can only access via private transportation.
Here are 4 quick things to consider:
In the last 5 years, the public has lost all public transportation to Swan Island. IF&W did not appeal the coast guard order to stop operating the Swan Island Ferry. IF&W publicly said they "wanted to get out of the transportation business" knowing this would lead to the elimination of their public services for Swan Island. Additionally, all public programs such as island tours, deer scouting and blind setup, blood tracking and field dressing, 10k and 5k races, archery lessons, lobster bakes and more were cancelled. The remaining dwellings on Swan Island have continued to fall in disrepair and will soon be memories of the past unless drastic changes are made to the ownership and management of the island.
Swan Island is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. However, it is owned and managed completely and entirely by IF&W, who states "the purpose and management of Swan Island is not the same as state parks". It is the only wildlife management area where you can't hunt, that is listed on the National Historic Register, been recognized twice as one of Maine's Most Endangered Historic Places, and has a campground. Swan Island is lumped in with 70+ WMA's although nothing else in the state of Maine is like it.
Richmond schools were frequent visitors to Swan Island, along with many other schools, even some as far as southern Maine. Local business also had frequent trips to the island, as well as higher education facilities to do research on archaeological and cultural sites. Today, IF&W does not want school children on the island conducting outdoor classes, having first-hand exploration of Maine's history, or learning on the island.
There is currently Maine legislation going through the government that was originally designed to RESTORE public access but was then revised to "establish a working group to facilitate public access..." (LD976). The IF&W was the only person or group to oppose the restoration of public access to Swan Island and they have continuously opposed ALL attempts to restructure Swan Island, regardless of the benefit to the public. During testimony for LD976, they indicated they will not restore public access for any reason.
We have heard there may be a private business that could offer weekend ferry service to Swan Island this summer and will certainly share that information once it is known.
We implore you to write to your representatives, the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, our Senators and even the Governor and ask for changes to be made to restore Swan Island back to your communities.
Salley Cluchey, House District 52 - [email protected]
Allison Helper, House District 49 - [email protected]
Michael Lemelin, House District 53 - [email protected]
Denise Tepler, Senate District 24 - [email protected]
The Committee on Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, [email protected]
Senator Collins and Senator King
Susan Collins - 207-622-8414
Angus King - 800-432-1599
Legislation poised to become law creates a working group to explore restoring public access to Swan Island, but state wildlife managers say such a plan would require staff and money and they prefer to focus on wildlife management and facilities maintenance.
