Maine groups get $900K to restore salmon habitats

Courtesy / Downeast Salmon Federation The Downeast Salmon Federation received $131,000 in federal funding to aid in its fish passage feasibility studies at the Cherryfield Ice Control Dam on the Narraguagus River, pictured here, and the Gardner Lake Dam on the East Machias River.

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By Renee Cordes

Four Maine organizations will share $900,000 in federal funding to restore habitats for endangered Atlantic salmon in Maine, it was announced on Monday. The funding was awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“Atlantic salmon are a critical part of our state’s marine ecosystem, but they are endangered and at risk of extinction,” U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a joint statement.

“These fish help to ensure the health of our rivers and oceans that Mainers and wildlife depend on," they added. "We welcome this funding, which will help to conserve and restore wild Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems across the state.”

While the projects receiving funding target Atlantic salmon habitat restoration, they will also be beneficial to other native species such as river herring, sea lamprey, American shad and American eel.

Recipients and funding amounts

Monday's announcement included the following details about funding recipients and amounts.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation received $213,854 towards five projects that aim to restore access to salmon spawning habitats in the Kennebec River watershed, as well as a fish passage feasibility study at the Chesterville Wildlife Management Area Dam on Little Norridgewock Stream.

Project SHARE received $303,225 to replace undersized culverts at 13 sites, connecting habitat for Atlantic salmonacross multiple watersheds. Project SHARE will also be conducting fish passage feasibility studies at the Great Works Dam and Marion Falls fishway, as well as working on freshwater habitat restoration in the Narraguagus River watershed.

The Nature Conservancy received $250,000 to remove the Guilford Dam. In doing so, the non-profit will be reconnecting habitat for Atlantic salmon in the Piscataquis River watershed, restoring access to high-quality habitat, and improving fish passage.

The Downeast Salmon Federation received $131,000 to aid in their fish passage feasibility studies at the Cherryfield Ice Control Dam on the Narraguagus River and the Gardner Lake Dam on the East Machias River. These studies will support future Atlantic salmon habitat restoration in these areas.

In a separate announcement emailed to Mainebiz, the Downiest Salmon Federation said that in both river systems, the area above the fish passage barriers is designated critical habitat for endangered Atlantic habitat.

According to NOAA, the Atlantic salmon, specifically the Gulf of Maine population, is one of the most at-risk endangered species, with only about 1,200 fish returning each year. The federal agency said that opening passages to fish habitats will allow them to migrate, reproduce and grow their population.