Press Releases
Pingree welcomes news of agreement to remove Saccarappa Falls Dam in WestbrookRemoval will reopen miles of waterways to sea-run fish species
Washington, DC,
November 16, 2016
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree welcomes news today that Sappi North America, the City of Westbrook, local organizations, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have reached an agreement to remove the Saccarappa Falls Dam in Westbrook as early as 2020. “We’ve seen the incredible results that dam removal and fish passage have brought to the Penobscot River in recent years, and I’m glad we’ll now be able to see this in Southern Maine as well,” Pingree said. “The removal of this dam will reopen miles of waterways to sea-run fish like alewife—an important source of bait for lobstermen and a critical contributor to the overall health of the Gulf of Maine.” “The renaissance of this once highly polluted river has driven robust economic development in Westbrook and other communities in recent years. This project will keep that momentum going,” Pingree continued. “I applaud Sappi and all the other project partners for reaching this historic agreement—it’s a testament to how we can work together to support both Maine industries and our natural resources.” According to a joint release by the partners earlier today, Sappi has agreed to remove the dam, including two spillways, as well as fund fish passage facilities for river herring, American shad and Atlantic salmon at Saccarappa Falls. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to modify the agency’s fish passage requirements at the next four upstream hydroelectric projects (Mallison Falls, Little Falls, Gambo and Dundee) owned by Sappi. Further, Sappi and the City of Westbrook intend to negotiate terms and conditions for the transfer of certain parcels to the city related to the riverwalk along the Presumpscot River. Sappi’s Board of Directors and the Westbrook City Council must still ratify the agreement. Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, which oversees funding for the Department of the Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Earlier this year, Pingree’s office helped convene a meeting with federal agencies to ensure the voices of local organizations were heard. |