WESTBROOK – An agreement has been reached to study “nature-like” fish passage at Saccarappa Falls in Westbrook.
According to a press release Monday, the agreement with dam owner Sappi Fine Paper North America, the city of Westbrook and various environmental groups, including Friends of the Presumpscot, sets a plan to evaluate a natural passage alternative, which would require removal of the dam at the falls, and also extends Sappi’s fish passage deadline to May 2017.
Sappi had recently submitted plans to install what is called a Denil fish ladder at Saccarappa Falls, much like the one installed last year at nearby Cumberland Mills, but has negotiated the exploration of the complete removal of the hydroelectric dams.
“All parties have agreed to seek delay of those proceedings so that an alternative approach can be explored together,” the release states. “In addition, the work will evaluate the inclusion of recreational features, including potential use by kayakers, as requested by the city.”
Last May, just a few months after the initial announcement concerning Saccarappa Falls, Sappi completed its $4.8 million Cumberland Mills fishway project, which now allows river herring, shad and other types of fish to pass up the Presumpscot River for the first time in more than 150 years.
After a series of hearings in 2009, state regulations required Sappi to install fish passage at its Cumberland Mills dam. Sappi’s dam licenses through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which will now require passage on the upstream dams, were contingent on fish passage at Cumberland Mills.
However, fish cannot move much further upstream until a Saccarappa Falls project is completed.
In Monday’s press release, Friends of the Presumpscot president Michael Shaughnessy said, “Ensuring that American shad, Atlantic salmon, and river herring are able to pass above Saccarappa Falls each spring is a key component for restoring sea-run fish to the Presumpscot.” He added, “This agreement is an important step forward.”
Shaughnessy said Tuesday that the organization feels optimistic about the project moving forward because it has been a collaborative effort. He said that although the next step is to collect the necessary data in order to design the best possible project, it is immensely positive news for the river.
He added that “natural passage” would help both smaller fish, who have more difficulty navigating a fish ladder, as well as kayakers, who would see this location as a destination.
“There are a lot of possibilities,” he said. “Wherever we go with the next phase, it will be based on the best science and proper studies, so we know what can actually happen.”
Shaughnessy also said that whatever happens, the project must be good for the long-term.
“It will have impact over generations,” he said. “So you don’t want something that may be cheaper now but more costly in the long run.”
The Westbrook Environmental Improvement Corp. recently approved funds, not to exceed $50,000, toward hiring Pennsylvania-based Princeton Hydro, an engineering firm that will conduct the study for a natural fishway. As part of the agreement, Sappi will contribute $150,000 toward the work.
“We remain excited and hopeful about the future of the river,” said Mayor Colleen Hilton in the release. “We think this agreement represents a common sense and consensus-based effort by the parties to bring about the best possible outcome in terms of fish passage, recreation and responsible environmental stewardship.”
Any design for either the removal of the dams, or for the installation of a fish ladder requires approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
A key portion of the city’s interest in establishing “nature-like” fish passage is possible recreational opportunities for Westbrook residents.
In March, Bill Baker, the assistant city administrator for business and community relations, who has been a vocal proponent of utilizing the river for recreation, said that he hopes the agreement leads to amenities that make the river a recreational destination.
“Our hope is that an agreement with Sappi and (Friends of the Presumpscot) would yield an opportunity to place two features in the river – one above the falls and one below the falls near the proposed pedestrian bridge – that would make this stretch of river a paddling destination and help us with economic activity in the downtown,” he said.
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