Pingree announces funding of $70.9 million for fish passage projects in Maine

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Secures Federal Funding for Fish Migration

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) made a groundbreaking announcement regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ recommendation for $70.9 million in federal funding. This funding is earmarked under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to enhance fish migration in Maine rivers.

Significance of the Funding

Congresswoman Pingree highlighted the critical role of migratory fish species, such as alewives and endangered Atlantic salmon, in preserving Maine’s biodiversity and the health of its waterways. Additionally, she emphasized the cultural and sustenance significance of these species to the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes with centuries of harvesting tradition.

Allocation of Funds

The funding breakdown includes:

• $12 million for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point to enhance fish passage at the Woodland Dam on the Skutik River, a vital step in improving access to habitat for alewives and other migratory species.
• $5.4 million for the Penobscot Indian Nation to address barriers in the Penobscot and St. George River watersheds, facilitating increased access to stream and spawning habitats for migratory fish.
• $7.5 million for the Maine Department of Marine Resources for ongoing efforts to enhance fish passage at the Woodland Dam on the St. Croix River.
• $19.9 million for The Nature Conservancy to improve fish passage on the Piscataquis River, a significant tributary to the Penobscot River.
• $3.5 million for the City of Auburn to remove the Littlefield Dam and assess additional dam improvements in the Little Androscoggin River.
• $13.5 million for Maine Rivers to enhance fish passage at various sites in the Merrymeeting Bay Salmon Habitat Recovery Unit.
• $9.1 million for the Downeast Salmon Federation to replace the Cherryfield Ice Control Dam on the Narraguagus River.

NOAA Fisheries’ Announcement

NOAA Fisheries revealed a total of nearly $240 million in funding for 46 fish passage projects, with an additional $38 million earmarked for future projects. This funding, under the BIL and IRA, supports initiatives to restore fish passage through barrier removal, benefiting endangered migratory fish and sustainable fisheries.

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