THE TOWN OF DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE, WILL BE AWARDED UP TO $3,537,201 OVER THREE YEARS TO IMPROVE FISH PASSAGE ON THE OYSTER RIVER, A TRIBUTARY TO THE GREAT BAY ESTUARY, BY REMOVING THE MILL POND DAM AND INSTALLING A FISH LADDER ON THE OYSTER RESERVOIR DAM. REMOVAL OF THE MILL POND DAM, THE LOWEST ON THE RIVER, WILL RESTORE A FREE-FLOWING RIVER AND INCREASE TIDAL INFLUENCE, IMPROVING WATER QUALITY AND FISH HABITAT UPSTREAM. DAM REMOVAL WILL ALSO PROVIDE COMMUNITY BENEFITS, AS THE DAM DOES NOT CURRENTLY MEET REGULATIONS TO SAFELY WITHSTAND A 50-YEAR STORM EVENT. THE OYSTER RESERVOIR DAM, THE NEXT BARRIER ON THE OYSTER RIVER SYSTEM, IS A WATER- SUPPLY IMPOUNDMENT. CURRENTLY, THIS DAM HAS NO UPSTREAM FISH PASSAGE. DAM REMOVAL IS NOT AN OPTION, AS IT SERVES AS A WATER SUPPLY FOR THE TOWN OF DURHAM AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.