Maine department of marine resources DMR is requesting 1075600 to remove a DAM and install a nature like fishway NLF in the dennys river at the outlet of meddybemps lake

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $1,075,600 Project Grant under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654) to the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). The grant funding will be used to remove a dam and install a nature-like fishway on the Dennys River at the outlet of Meddybemps Lake in Maine.

This project aims to improve public safety, climate resilience of infrastructure, and support the recovery of endangered Atlantic salmon and other species of concern. The Meddybemps Lake outlet is of cultural importance to the Passamaquoddy Peskotomuhkati tribes due to an 8,600-year-old archaeological site in the area. The project will also enhance a critical town infrastructure and water source. The award period runs from August 29, 2024 to February 6, 2027.

Meddybemps lake is the headwaters of the dennys river and is one of the eight ESA listed atlantic salmon streams that contain native populations in the united states. The DAM is a liability vulnerable to climate related disasters with potential impact to RT. 191 homeowners around meddybemps lake and DMR staff that must operate the faulty DAM gate. Removing the DAM and replacing IT with a NLF water control structure will improve public safety climate resilience of infrastructure and directly and indirectly assist in the recovery of NOAA ESA species and NOAA species of concern. The meddybemps outlet sites are of particular cultural importance to the passamaquoddy peskotomuhkati tribes because of a CO located 8600 year old archeological site linked to the passamaquoddy tribe and all wabanaki peoples. The outlet sites are also a critical town infrastructure at the center of meddybemps and a key water source.