Dedication Ceremony Held for Fish Passage Projects in Maine

A newly constructed fish passage on the Sebasticook River in Newport, Maine was the site of a dedication ceremony recognizing the completion of three fish passage projects. Following the ceremony, participants had the opportunity to tour the project sites and receive a detailed description of the three projects.

Approximately 75 people gathered around to hear Federal, State and local partners speak to the benefits of the tri-project effort on the Sebasticook River, and the role that each played.

Sponsored by NRCS, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Town of Newport, the three projects dedicated were: the removal of the Guilford Dam, a fish passage installed on the Sebasticook Lake outlet dam, and the restoration of the river bend between Sebasticook Dam and the former Guilford Dam.

The Sebasticook River is the largest tributary to the Kennebec River (946 square miles).

NRCS contributed over $349,000 (70 percent of total cost) towards the construction of the three projects through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.  Financial support was a partnership between 15 Federal, State, and local partners.

For more information on this project, visit the Maine web site at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov/SebasticookRiver.html.

Contact person is Elaine Tremble, Public Affairs Specialist, 207-990-9569.