BOSTON, MA – Sappi Fine Paper North America, the leading manufacturer of coated fine paper in North America, announced today that it has reached a preliminary settlement with American Rivers, Inc., the Friends of the Presumpscot River, the Department of Marine Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The settlement will significantly enhance fishery restoration efforts on the Presumpscot River. All parties involved will work to pursue a final settlement agreement by the end of 2007 that will benefit both the river and its surrounding communities.

Portions of the preliminary agreement include removing all components of the Cumberland Mills Dam, installing fish lifts at Saccarappa Dam and initiating a trap and truck program that will jump-start the restoration of native sea-run species throughout the upper watershed. All parties hope these actions will trigger fish passage at Mallison Falls, Little Falls and Gambo dams that will create improved fishing and recreational opportunities.

“The State of Maine continues to be a leader in the creation of Smart Hydropower, a balance between the need for renewable power sources and the health and the restoration of our native fisheries,” said Governor John Baldacci. “This preliminary agreement holds great hope for the health of the Presumpscot and the communities that depend on the fisheries, the river and sustainable energy production.”

According to the settlement, all work on the removal of the Cumberland Mills Dam and all renovations to the area will be completed and operational by May 2011. Additional work will include fish lifts at Saccarappa Dam in 2016 and the upriver dams as fish return to the river.

“We are very pleased with the settlement and feel that this is the best possible solution for all parties involved,” said John Martis, Managing Director, Westbrook Mill. “It is important to address the issue of fish passage on the Presumpscot River and Sappi continues to actively support a sound environmental policy. We are confident that this solution will continue to keep our Westbrook Mill competitive in the papermaking industry.”

Sappi announced the agreement during a press conference today at the Riverbank Park Gazebo in Westbrook, Maine.

"We are proud to have come this far and reached a framework for settlement that will have a profound impact on the Presumpscot, both ecologically and economically, for years to come,” said Dusti Faucher, President, Friends of the Presumpscot River. “Once a final settlement agreement is executed, we will have taken a huge step forward in restoring native fish species to our river. These species link our rivers and the ocean, and rebuild both ecosystems.”

Over the years, Sappi has made enhancements to fishery resources on the Presumpscot.  The company provides minimum flows downstream of the Eel Weir Dam for a recreational fishery, an area that has one of the highest use rates of any fishery in Maine.

"Bringing the Presumpscot back to life is going to pay off exponentially," said Rebecca Wodder, President, American Rivers, Inc. “A thriving river can be the engine that drives a strong, vibrant economy for Westbrook and the upriver communities. People will be able to enjoy the river for generations to come."

“With the proposed settlement agreement, we can look forward to a future of fish restoration in this watershed, where we have not seen natural fish passage for more than 250 years,” said Marvin E. Moriarty, Northeast Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Currently Sappi provides minimum flows for fisheries at four Sappi dams: Eel Weir, Dundee, Gambo and Mallison Falls. These minimum fisheries flows are provided to improve the fisheries opportunities for trout and other species on the Presumpscot River.

About Sappi Fine Paper North America
Sappi Fine Paper North America is the leading North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising.  Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Sappi Fine Paper North America is known for innovation and quality. Its brand names McCoy, Lustro Offset Environmental, Opus, and Somerset are some of the industry’s most widely recognized and specified. SFPNA is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE:SPP), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents in nine countries, sales offices in 50 countries, and customers in over 100 countries around the world. Learn more about Sappi at: www.sappi.com.

About Friends of the Presumpscot River
Friends of the Presumpscot River is dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Presumpscot River through ongoing stewardship and advocacy. We are also committed to giving citizens a voice in the management of their river.

About American Rivers
American Rivers is the only national organization standing up for healthy rivers so our communities can thrive. American Rivers has more than 65,000 supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions. www.AmericanRivers.org.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife
agencies.

For more information contact:
Brooke Carey
Sappi Fine Paper North America
617.423.5406
Brooke.Carey@sappi.com