For Immediate Release March 14, 2005

Dam License Renewal agreement will develop and improve wetlands, and enhance fisheries

AUGUSTA, Maine -- A new license for Great Lakes Hydro American, LLC will allow continued operation of water storage dams on four lakes on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, and provide for a wide range of benefits for a variety of conservation issues.

On December 22, 2004, Great lakes Hydro American, LLC received approval from the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission for a new 50 year license. The license is the result of ten years of work between the the dam owners, GLHA; and state, federal, and private organizations. The non-generating storage dams are located in the upper West Branch of the Penobscot River drainage on Ragged Lake, Seboomook Lake, Caucomgomoc Lake, and Canada Falls Lake. Several smaller dams were also involved in the final agreement.

"The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is charged with protecting, enhancing, and providing for the wise use of the fish and wildlife resources in Maine. This project is a good example of how the mission of the Department has expanded over the years," said John Boland, Fisheries Director of Program Development. "The Department's involvement with this long-term project ensures that the highly valued fish and wildlife resources are protected not just for anglers and hunters, but recreational boaters, campers, and others who just enjoy the woods and the water in the great State of Maine."

Members of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S Department of the Interior, U.S. National Park Service, Maine Department of Conservation, Appalachian Mountain Club, American Whitewater, and New England FLOW worked with GLHA to come up with an agreement that balanced the safety and economic issues with resource utilization and protection.

The agreement allows for conservation easements on some lands, public and tribal access, adequate flows for recreational boating; and improved boat launches and facilities. It also involves very significant fish and wildlife enhancements and mitigation projects.

Stable lake levels: All four lakes will be filled as full as practical in the spring and held stable (+/- 1 foot) until mid-July. Drawdowns will be reduced, in some cases dramatically. For instance, winter drawdowns at Canada Falls Lake will be reduced from 26 feet to 3.5 feet. The reduced drawdowns will increase the availability of winter habitat for wild brook trout. It will also allow boating access throughout the fishing season. Also, the stable water levels during nesting periods for loons and waterfowl would increase nesting success, as well as improve conditions for wetlands development and erosion control.

Wetland enhancements: In addition to the improved stability in lake elevations, other actions will be taken to enhance the quality and quantity of wetlands in the project area. Gates from the dam on Loon Lake will be permanently removed and replaced with stop logs to maximize wetland development. Wetland enhancement at Loon Lake was a high priority for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for this impoundment has large shallow expanses that will be well suited for the development of emergent aquatic vegetation which is utilized by waterfowl, beaver, muskrats, and moose. GLHA will also make a one time payment of $35,000 to the Department for future wetland enhancement.

River flows: Some of northern Maine's best river fishing is located in this project area, and it was a high priority of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to protect and enhance this fishery.

Optimum flows for boating to the lower reaches of the river in September will now be guaranteed and flow studies indicated that flows for recreational boaters could be accommodated in the summer months while still enhancing fish habitat. Target flows designed to maximize salmon and trout habitat in the West Branch were found to be adequate for recreational boating such as canoeing and kayaking as well. This is a good example of how Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife staff is often called upon to address needs of non-fishing and hunting groups. Flows in Caucomgomoc Stream will maximize wild salmon production and provide for fall attraction/fishing flows. Flows in the South Branch were designed to improve the wild trout fishery and to provide some high quality recreational boating opportunities.

Perhaps the most exciting fisheries enhancement for this project involves the wild brook trout fishery in the North Branch of the Penobscot River. Currently, a limited number of wild trout from Seboomook Lake ascend the North Branch in the fall. This run is totally reliant on natural rain events which are often insufficient to create a stable fishery. Under the new license agreement, some of the storage available upstream in Dole and Long Ponds will be held until September. Flow studies conducted by the Department indicate that flows of 100 cfs would be sufficient to attract and hold mature wild brook trout in this river section. The new plan calls for approximately 100 cfs to be released from Dole Pond starting in early September. This flow augmentation, combined with the expected increase in the trout population in Seboomook Lake, could establish a quality wild brook trout fishery in roughly 9 miles of river in northern Maine.

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