The Bay of Fundy Aquatic Connectivity project is focused on restoring aquatic organism passage and improving water quality in Downeast coastal watersheds that flow into the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine.
Deteriorating fishways and culverts blocking fish such as sea-run smelts and sea-run alewives from historic spawning and nursery habitat will be replaced. Water quality and forest health improvement will be created through restoration of habitat access, adjoining riparian areas and stream bank corridors.
The project is designed to have positive impacts to the Downeast economy - for construction jobs in the short term, and for recreational and commerical fishing in the long term.
Major funding for this project is being provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL 83-566).
Federal, State, international and local agencies, and Tribes, are partnering with non-governmental entities to address these resource concerns.
The watersheds included in the project area in Washington County are the: Lower St. Croix River; Dennys River; Pennamaquan River; Bocabec River-Frontal Passamaquoddy; Cobscook Bay-Frontal Passamaquoddy; and the Grand Manan Channel.
Currently, diadromous fish (fish that spend portions of their life cycles partially in fresh water and partially in salt water) in Maine only have a fraction of the historic spawning and rearining habitat accessible that is critical to the persistence of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Species of Concern (Alewife, blueback herring, and rainbow smelt) to federally endangered Atlantic salmon. Without accessible habitat, fish cannot grow or reproduce, resulting in reduce fish populations and overall negative effects to watershed health.
"Restoration of sea-run fish is vital to our state's environment and economy. Our rivers in Downeast Maine have great potential. Improving passage and habitat for species like American eels, river herring and Atlantic Salmon will provide significant ecological benefits, recreational opportunities, and economic value throughout the region."
-- Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher
"Many different aquatic species face increasing threats due to climate change and development. This grant will help us improve lake and stream connectivity in several Downeast watersheds by restoring access to habitat for species such as brook trout, while also laying the foundation for continued economic growth in the region while protecting the health of Maine's waters and fish."
-- Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso
"We anticipate that this project will not only restore habitat access in these watersheds, but will have positive impacts to the Downeast economy. Whether it is for construction jobs at the selected sites or having benefits to communities and industries that depend on fisheries for sustenance and outdoor recreation."
-- NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez
LEAD PARTNER
SPONSORS
CONTACTS
Francis Brautigam
Director of Fisheries and Hatcheries
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sean Ledwin
Director of Sea Run Fisheries & Habitat Division
Maine Department of Marine Resources
Ben Naumann
Fisheries Biologist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
