| The Penobscot River, Maine's largest watershed, historically contained large runs of Atlantic salmon, American shad, sturgeon, striped bass, American eels and other migratory species. Construction of dams beginning in the 1830's together with industrial pollution and overfishing virtually eliminated the Penobscot's vast fishery resources. Many of the dams remain on the river today, and help meet the state's need for renewable energy. Efforts to restore salmon through fish passage construction at dams also continue, although with limited success.
Restoration of salmon and other migratory fish in the Penobscot will receive a big boost as a result of a carefully negotiated and innovative settlement agreement, involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state of Maine, Penobscot Indian Nation, dams owner PPL Maine, and several non-governmental organizations. The Penobscot River Restoration Project calls for three of the dams on the lower part of the Penobscot watershed to be sold by PPL Maine to the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, made up of NGOs and the Penobscot Indian Nation. Two of the dams will be removed, and the third will be decommissioned and equipped with a novel fish bypass system. PPL Maine will install new fish passage facilities at its remaining dams in the watershed under the guidance of the Fish and Wildlife Service and state. By recycling generating turbines from the removed dams to PPL's other projects in the watershed and as a result of other modifications, PPL will replace over 90 percent of the power that would be lost from the dam removals. Implementation of the overall project began in 2005, with dam removals and other improvements scheduled to occur as early as 2009.
Dam removals will restore historic spawning habitat for Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, striped bass, and rainbow smelt. Improved fish passage at remaining dams will restore access to over 500 miles of habitat historically used by Atlantic salmon and other species for spawning and rearing. Bald eagles, ospreys and other wildlife will benefit from the restored fish runs. Nutrient flow between the river and Gulf of Maine will increase, bolstering stocks of cod and other marine fishes. Recreational angling for striped bass, shad, and salmon will help restore the public's connection with the river. The achievement of significant fish restoration while maintaining important renewable energy resources makes the Penobscot River Restoration Project a win-win for all interests.
|
Top
of Page