The USFWS Maine Fisheries Complex co-sponsored a collaborative multiple agency and private landowner educational opportunity/field workshop on improving fish (aquatic) passage via stream simulation design.  This unique workshop was spawned by a USFWS cooperative agreement with the non-profit group Project SHARE (Salmon Habitat and River Enhancement, www.salmonhabitat.org).

The on-site workshop included an actual culvert replacement that showcased multiple stakeholder efforts in identifying, prioritizing and performing state-of-the-art aquatic passage designs that culminate in fish friendly construction implemented in congruence with rigorous Endangered Species Act Section 7 permitting guidelines for listed Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon. 

The Sept.21^st field workshop included presentations from the USFWS Maine Fisheries Resource Office (East Orland), USFWS Maine Ecological Services Field Office (Old Town), Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, Maine Land Use Regulatory Commission, Maine Forest Service, Project SHARE, Washington County Soil Conservation District, and the commercial timber landowner. 

Participants in the overall group activities also included biologists from the USFWS Gulf of Maine Project Office (Falmouth), and NOAA Fisheries (Orono).  The on-site presentations were performed in concert with the removal of a fish barrier (perched undersized culvert) and construction of a bottomless arched culvert that was designed through the group’s knowledge of stream simulation modeling. 

In regard to the group’s ability to perform stream simulation modeling, the Maine Fisheries Complex recognizes Project SHARE, Maine Forest Service, Maine Dept. of Trans., and our Gulf of Maine office for their substantial efforts in organizing a week long fish passage training-course in June 2005.  This course provided both classroom and on-the-ground training through USDA Forest Service personnel to over 30 participants from state and federal agencies as well as industry and private interest groups. 

Shortly after the stream simulation design training, a subset of multiple stakeholders coalesced into a working group that was intent on utilizing their new training.  This group identified a fish barrier road crossing that was then field sampled and later designed by means of the stream simulation design protocol.  Since the identified site was located in a small tributary that presumably contained federally listed salmon, and a federal nexus was identified, Endangered Species biologists from USFWS and NOAA Fisheries became involved through the Section 7 consultation process.  These biologists reviewed the groups design and field sampling data, and concluded that the project was not likely to adversely effect endangered Atlantic salmon. 

To further lesson the impacts on other aquatic biota, the group’s Best Management Practices included a construction design that included a complete water bypass system.  The benefit of utilizing this expensive technology was to assess if this methodology could be used to minimize short-term stream habitat impacts emanating from the construction site.  

The on-site workshop group unanimously agreed that stream bypass methods maintained water quality and quantity above/below the construction site.  Therefore, if future projects could be implemented as successfully as what occurred during this construction, this methodology may streamline future Section 7 permitting actions, particularly at locations where Atlantic salmon are observed. 

In testament to the quality and longevity of the group’s stream simulation culvert design and construction, one must consider the severe flooding events that have deluged Downeast Maine shortly after this project’s completion.  After several bankfull channel flood events, including one (Oct. 10) that resulted in a flood event that exceeded 41 of 66 years of annual peak flow measurements in the Machias River, the arched culvert remains intact and the stream bottom continues to retain design characteristics of the adjacent measured reference channel.

It should be noted that this culvert replacement was the first stream simulation design-bottomless-arch type culvert restoration project conducted in a Downeast Maine River.  This particular project will improved habitat access for Atlantic salmon, Brook trout and other aquatic species in the Machias River basin.

In conclusion, the major theme of the workshop was to illustrate that ecologically justified stream restoration projects such as culvert replacements on combined commercial/public timber harvest lands can be accomplished in a timely professional manner through partnership of multiple state and federal agencies, industry and private interest groups.  

This group now has a documented streamlined process for future projects that will undoubtedly aid in the recovery efforts of federally listed Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon by improving aquatic connectivity at degraded stream crossings.