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BRIEF HISTORY: Endangered Atlantic salmon habitat on the South Branch
of the Sandy River in Phillips, Maine was destroyed when excavators and
other large equipment was brought in to dredge a large section of the
river following December flooding. The Maine Department of
Environmental Protection is investigating allegations that the town of
Phillips dredged the south branch of the Sandy River, affecting other
branches where endangered Atlantic salmon migrate.
A DEP spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing, and that
department staff have visited the site, and contacted state and local
officials to evaluate possible impacts.
Daniel McCaw, who has studied salmon habitat in the Sandy River, told
the Portland Press Herald that the town dredged several feet down in a
central channel in December, to alleviate flooding after the December
rainstorm. But he said that caused several other branches of the
river to dry up, preventing Atlantic salmon migration, and destroying
developing salmon eggs.
McCaw said the town should have contacted the state DEP and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Services before altering the flow of the river.
John
Burrows of the Atlantic Salmon Federation says this part of the river
was excellent salmon habitat, and had at least six salmon nests, known
as redds, created last fall.
"So in terms of the impact on a critically endangered species, losing
six redds and thousands of juvenile wild Atlantic salmon is going to
have an impact for a few generations up that way," he says.
In a reply to DEP, Phillips town manager Maureen Haley wrote that the
town did not knowingly violate any regulations, and was acting to
“preserve human lives and the property of its residents at a time of
great need and catastrophe.” Haley said the town is willing to work with state and federal agencies
to restore the river, but asked for financial assistance for the work,
and for projects to prevent future flooding. Burrows says the
restoration work could cost as much as $3 million.
August 2, 2024
Maine
Public. Org Article ~ "...Burrows says the restoration work could cost
as much as $3 million."
Click on the link: Maine Public Org