Nestlé is moving fast--southern Mainers need your help!

A message from Emily Posner, Maine organizer for the Defending Water for Life Campaign:

Dear Water Warriors and Allies of the cause to keep Maine's water out of corporate hands:

The water justice movement is growing fast in Maine thanks to the tireless efforts of dedicated citizens in places like Shapleigh and Newfield, Maine. Shapleigh and Newfield are small rural communities, nestled in the foothills of the Presidential mountain range. Combined, the towns' population is less then 4,000 residents.

These two small Maine towns share an abundant sand and gravel aquifer that is protected by the 4,000 acre Vernon Walker Game Management Area. Vernon Walker is publicly owned state land that is managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. In 2006, without any public oversight, Nestlé sunk up to 16 bore wells in this public land to determine the viability of industrial water extraction. When the state offered a price/gallon too high for the Fortune 500 company, they started bargaining with Shapleigh town officials in an effort to instead begin operating on town land adjacent to Vernon Walker.

Meanwhile, concerned citizens from around the area have united to oppose Nestlé's intrusion into their rural community. They have formed POWWR -- Protecting Our Water and Wildlife Resources. POWWR is committed to protecting their community's natural resources for today and into the future. Please visit www.defendingwaterinmaine.org/POWWR to learn about POWWR's history and local organizing effort.

On September 20, 2008, Shapleigh citizens sent a clear message to Nestlé when the town voted overwhelmingly for a 180-day moratorium to protect their groundwater. They also voted NO to drilling and testing by Nestlé on the town-owned parcel of land.

In the Boston Globe, Nestlé's lead geologist was quoted as saying, "we might need to force our hand" in regards to the resistance of Shapleigh and Newfield residents. And since the vote in September, the company has not stopped in its efforts to get the precious water from this area, and the Town's elected officials are attempting to push forward an ordinance that will open the door to large scale industrial water extraction.

Meanwhile, POWWR continues to organize and are working on an ordinance that will protect their community's right to self-government and say no to commercial water extraction. Read about it here.

POWWR needs support in their inspiring grassroots effort to protect their community's water resources, ecosystems and town's right to determine its future. We are trying to raise $500 to support this tremendous effort. Please consider making a small tax deductible donation. If just 50 people made a $10 donation, the goal would be reached. You can make a donation on-line here or send a check directly to POWWR, 185 Hooper Road, Shapleigh, ME 04076 (POWWR@live.com).