On Environment Blog Index
river restoration
November 14, 2007
Saco River restoration moving forward

Efforts to restore sea-run fisheries to Maine’s industrial rivers are about to take another step forward, this time on the Saco River.

FPL Energy, which owns nine dams on the Saco, is scheduled to announce the completion of a habitat restoration agreement during a press conference at 11 a.m. today at Saco City Hall.

UPDATE - We covered that announcement, in fact. Here's the whole story.

FPL, which has already spent $16 million on fish ladders and elevators at the dams that are closest to the ocean, will spend millions more to bring salmon, shad and other fish farther upriver and deeper into their historic spawning areas.

The deal will set a timetable for fish passage at Bar Mills dam and upstream dams. It also will include money for other conservation and restoration efforts.

The move is part of a national effort to restore sea-run fisheries decimated over the last two centuries by industrial dams. Maine’s Penobscot, Kennebec and Presumpscot rivers are all the focus of similar efforts.

Stay tuned for the details and reactions.

Posted at 09:54 AM
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John covers environmental issues for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. A reporter for 20 years, he always hoped to find some use for his undergraduate degree in International Environmental Studies. He also has a master's degree in journalism, though back then they taught writing on a thing called a typewriter. He's married and has two children.

About this blog

Down To Earth is a place to keep tabs on the environment beat at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. Staff Writer John Richardson will post updates on past news stories, share tidbits and behind-the-story stories, answer questions and get feedback and ideas from you.



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