DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — State Rep. Paul Davis thinks the fish bypass planned for the Howland dam should be stopped and is organizing a meeting next month for others who feel the same way.
The Penobscot River Restoration Trust plans to install a bypass at the Howland dam and decommission that dam while removing dams in Veazie and Old Town as part of a $50 million project over the next three years. The project’s goal: to help Atlantic salmon, shad, alewives and other fish to migrate farther into northern and central Maine waterways.
Davis, R-Sangerville, lauds the goal of the environmental group, but said he fears that the bypass will also allow northern pike farther up the Penobscot and into other waterways.
“The northern pike is a huge fish that kills everything they come into contact with,” Davis said Friday. “The bypass will certainly bring them an awful lot closer to the waters we are concerned about, and Atlantic salmon can already get up in there [past Howland’s dam] anyway. They can make it over the dam.”
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection permit for the Howland project that was issued in 2010 acknowledged the potential for damage to native fish species should northern pike use the bypass to access the upper reaches of the Piscataquis River and the West Branch of the Penobscot River.
But it also said the “bypass channel operation should not result in any significant harm to resident fish resources provided that the applicant takes appropriate measures … to create and-or maintain barriers to the upstream movement of northern pike and other invasive fish at strategic locations in the Piscataquis River watershed.”
The Piscataquis County commissioners and the Millinocket Fin & Feather Club are among the organizations that disagree with the DEP finding and opposing the bypass.
Laura Rose Day, executive director of the river restoration group, could not be reached for comment Friday. She has said in the past that two state agencies involved with the trust effort are working together to apply best management practices to deal with invasive species.
The agencies have agreed to ensure that the current blockages are maintained at least in the short term and then would continue to cooperate on what should happen in the future, she said.
Howland Town Manager Jane Jones said she did not know when the group planned to start installing the bypass, but its construction easement lapses in December 2015.
Davis said the meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Dover-Foxcroft town office. He said that he and former state fisheries biologist Paul Johnson also will be there.
DEP said with proper safeguards this plan would minimize pike migration. The Rep. seems to be counting on Murphy’s Law to validate his opposition to the fishway and any progress in fish propagation. Also he could take the position held by many that these salmon are from away and unworthy of help. Even though the Millinocket Fin & Feather Club possess startling empathy and insights into fish psychology; it would be most unwise for this representative to proceed with his opposition till he consults his guru, the states greatest amateur marine biologist for a free consultation.. The Penguin will know whats best to do. He will know who to tell to kiss his feathered butt.
Their are not enough safeguards for this issue. Salmon, just wait till the Northern Pike get ahold of them. A lot of this has to do with alewives more than salmon. Northern Pike has already been found below Howland, how much more information do you need. If they get above the dam and also get into the Piscataquis River basin this would be disatrous for fishing. I can not believe Trout unlimited are behind them. I would say it is far more than empathy on the clubs part. Rep. Davis is certianly fighting for the correct side. They should be at least made to put a trap and sort facility, though that is not 100% sure. They say short term blockages, how will that help when they want to put alewives in Cedar Lake.
The Penobscot River Restoration Trust cannot be trusted.
Ya know, I get censored for each time I call that old fat stupid green millionaire names, but I guess it must be ok now since you have obviously opened up the door by calling our Governor names.
And FYI, I’ll take the word of the Fin & Feather Club long before I take the word of some bought-and-paid for green agenda driven organization.
When you run out facts, best to resort to name calling?
Ya know, I get censored for each time I call that old fat stupid green millionaire names, but I guess it must be ok now since you have obviously opened up the door by calling our Governor names.
And FYI, I’ll take the word of the Fin & Feather Club long before I take the word of some bought-and-paid for green agenda driven organization.
Id like to see these green groups get 6 figure fines for every day another species goes out of the area. They have got polluters to pay-up for their mistakes, its just fair that they pay-up when they skrew-up.
We need to put Environmentalist on the endangered species list for the good of the State.
I say scrap the fish way put the money into a new hydro turbine.
NOW you’re talkin’…