Update on Status of KHDG Fish Passage as of April 7, 2005

 

Kennebec River

Lockwood Dam

DEP has approved design and construction plans for an interim fish lift and trap and truck facility at the Lockwood Project.  Construction is to begin this year, with an operational date of May 1, 2006.  Total cost for design, permitting and construction is about $2 million.

Under the KHDG Agreement, permanent upstream passage must be operational at the Lockwood Project 2 years following (a) the passage of 8,000 shad at the interim facility or (b) an alternative trigger based on a biological assessment of salmon, alewife and herring, but on no event will permanent passage be required before May 1, 2010.

Hydro-Kennebec Dam

Permanent upstream passage at the Hydro-Kennebec Project is required on the same terms as at Lockwood.

 

 

Sebasticook River

Fort Halifax Dam

Appeal of FERC decision approving the surrender of the project license and removal of the Fort Halifax Dam is pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Appeal of DEP permit approving dam removal is pending in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Corps of Engineers' permit has been issued and has not been appealed.

Town of Winslow permits have not yet been issued.

Temporary fish pump will again be in operation this year.

Benton Falls Dam

DEP has approved design and construction plans for a permanent fish lift at the Benton Falls Project.  Construction is to begin this year, with an operational date of May 1, 2006.  Total cost for design, permitting and construction is about $900,000.

The dam owner, Benton Falls Associates, has agreed to pay $18,000 to the Kennebec River Restoration Fund to cover additional trap and truck expenses to be incurred by DMR due to the failure of the dam owner to have fish passage available at the site by May 1, 2005.

The dam owner and the State's fisheries agencies, in conjunction with the AG's office, are working on an agreement to cover the construction, funding and operation of a fish counting, trapping and sorting facility at the project.

Burnham Dam

DEP has approved design and construction plans for a permanent fish lift at the Burnham Project.  Construction is to begin this year, with an operational date of May 1, 2006.  Total cost for design, permitting and construction is about $775,000.

The dam owner, Ridgewood Maine Hydro, has agreed to pay $18,000 to the Kennebec River Restoration Fund to cover additional trap and truck expenses to be incurred by DMR due to the failure of the dam owner to have fish passage available at the site by May 1, 2005.

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