13- 188 C.M.R. ch. 60, § 20

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 188-60-20 - Saco River Interim Restoration Goals

SUMMARY: The Saco River Strategic Plan for Fisheries Management represents the long-term management goals of the Maine D.M.R., I.F.& W., A.S.R.S.C., and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The management goals of the Department of Marine Resources are reflected in the document references to American shad, alewife, blueback herring, rainbow smelt, American eel, and striped bass. The two fish species of primary concern which would require improvements in passage above the Cataract Project include the American shad and alewife. A public hearing on the D.M.R. portion of the original plan was held in Saco, Maine, on March 31, 1987. Based on the public comment received at the hearing, the D.M.R. provides further information and clarification of its fishery restoration intentions as follows:

The Saco River restoration of shad and alewives will be accomplished by using residual stocks of these species which currently exist below the Cataract Dam. The high priority stocking programs on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers require all other stocks of shad and alewives currently available to D.M.R. If additional stocks become available, the next priority would be to augment shad and alewife stocks in the Penobscot River.

The interim Saco River restoration goals of the D.M.R., encompassing the period from 1987-2002, are to provide American shad access to the Saco River immediately downstream of the Skelton Project and to utilize the Skelton headpond and downstream areas for production of alewives. These goals can be achieved by the following methods:

1. Provide fish passage (upstream and downstream) for American shad at the Cataract Project, including Spring and Bradbury Dams;

2. Release up to 15,000 adult alewives above the Cataract Dam for utilization of spawning habitat below Skelton Dam;

3. Truck stock up to 10,000 alewives, over and above the 15,000 passed at the Cataract, to the Skelton Dam impoundment; and

4. Provide for downstream passage at the Skelton Project.

Following the end of the 15-year interim restoration program period, the DMR will reevaluate restoration goals, the status of existing shad and alewife stocks in the Saco River, and make appropriate recommendations to the Central Maine Power Company. The use of any New Hampshire waters (Ossippee and Little Ossippee Rivers) for production of American shad and alewives will be mutually agreed upon by Maine and New Hampshire fishery agencies prior to the introduction of these species into New Hampshire waters.

13- 188 C.M.R. ch. 60, § 20