Royal River Restoration Project I Maine Rivers Page 1Of3 Http

Royal River Restoration Project I Maine Rivers Page 1of3

MARCH 1, 2016

Our mission is to protect, restore and enhance the ecological health of Maine's river systems.

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RI VER LIFE Royal River Restoration Project WATERSHEDS LEGISLATION

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RIVER NEWS The Royal River flows nearly 26 miles from its source in Sabbathday Lake in The Economic Value of a Restored New Gloucester to its mouth in Casco Bay in Yarmouth. The watershed Fishery on the Presumpscot River includes approximately 141 square miles of land in the towns of Auburn, Prepared by Rachel Bouvier and the Durham, Gray, New Gloucester, Pownal, North Yarmouth and Yarmouth. The Friends of the Presumpscot River Town of Yarmouth owns two dams, the Bridge Street Dam and the East Elm Street Dam. These are the lower-most dams in the watershed. Together they Letter to the ed itor: Sens. Collins, King block access to over 100 miles of mainstem and tributary habitat for migratory urged to protect clean water fish. As part of the Royal River Restoration Project and following • Portland Press Herald article recommendations of the 2008 Royal River Corridor Master Plan, the Town of Yarmouth is evaluating options for fisheries and habitat restoration. Maine House crushes mining bill Bangor Daily News article The 2008 Royal River Corridor Master Plan recommended performing a comprehensive study of the advantages and disadvantages of removing dams and recommended that improvements to fish passage be made throughout the river corridor: MAINE RIVER RESTORATION SUCCESSES We celebrate river restoration "In terms of fish passage, the Lower Falls do not present a barrier to most fish species. Although the achievements across the state. Read Upper Falls may themselves be a barrier, there is a side channel to the east of those falls that allows fish More passage around the falls. In contrast, the two dams present a complete barrier to all fish passage. A

concrete Deni/ fish passage exists at each dam, but these structures are flawed and do not appear to be ADVOCAT IN G FOR FREE FLOWING RIVERS providing adequate function." Hundreds of years ago, before the -Royal River Corridor Master Plan, 2008,p. 8. first European settlers came to Maine, the region looked very different. ~Royal River Dams~ Read more Bridge Street Dam RESTORING NATIVE FISH TO OUR RIVERS

Structure: The Bridge Street Dam is made of reinforced concrete and is approximately 275 feet in We work to restore native fish length and 10 feet high. The hydropower turbines are located in the basement of the Sparhawk Mill, a populations to rivers throughout penstock moves water from the Dam to the Sparhawk Mill where some is used for the hydropower Maine. Read more operations. SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS EFFORTS Purpose: A hydroelectric generating facility at Sparhawk Mill uses water from Bridge Street Dam to We forge alliances, support local river produce small amounts of hydropower foruse by tenants of the Sparhawk Mill with limited amount sent groups and help create grassroots to the power grid. The Town receives minimal if any revenue from the hydropower operation. organizations for watershed Owner: The Town of Yarmouth acquired the dam, right-of-way over adjoining property and flowage protection. Read more right in 1973. Flowage rights are limited to maintaining or lowering the existing water level. The hydropower operations in the Sparhawk Mill are managed by Bob Poor, Granite Ridge Properties.

Fish passage: Fish passage facilities were not part of the original dam configuration but were added in 1974. The Maine Department of Marine Resources maintains a lease from the Town to operate the fishway but the fishway has not been maintained and does not function. Funding from the Department of Marine Resources for repair or maintenance is severely limited.

Licensing: The hydropower operation holds an exemption from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) because it produces very little power.

East Elm Street Dam

Structure: The East Elm Street Dam is made of stone and is approximately 250 feet in length and is 12 feet high. It is an aging structure with visible evidence of deterioration.

http://mainerivers.org/proj ects/royal-river/ 3/1/2016 Royal River Restoration Project I Maine Rivers Page 2of3

Purpose: The East Elm Street Dam produces no power and there are no remaining industries associated with it. A mill was originally built in the vicinity of the dam in 1759 to power an iron refinery.

Owner: The Town of Yarmouth acqu ired the dam and flowage rights in 1971.

Fish passage: The Main e Department of Marine Resources maintains a lease from the Town to operate the fishway but the fishway languished for years without being maintained. It is not clear if the fishway has ever performed well. Fu nding from the Department of Ma rine Resources for repair or maintenance Is severely limited.

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Royal River Restoration Project: Phase II Analysis and Reporting, 2013

Executive Su mmary of Phase II Analysis and Reporting, PDF

Phase II Analysis and Re porting, without appendixes, PDF

Phase II Ana lysis and Reporting with appendixes, PDF

Summary of Recreational Changes Associated with Dam Removal and River Restoration 2013

Roya l River Recreational Summary, PDF

Map of Royal River Fish Passage, 2013

Roya l Ri ver Dams Map, PDF

Royal River Corridor Master Plan, 2008

Royal River Corridor Master Plan, PD F

Fisheries & Aquatic Habitat Restoration Feasibility Study, 2010

Fisheries & Aquatic Habitat Restoration Feasibility Study, PDF

Link to Town of Yarmouth website for Appendices to 2010 Report

Roya l River Water Quality Monitoring Report, 1993- 1999

Anadromous Fish Restoration in the Royal River, 1981

Royal River Drainage Fish Management, 1958

Fish Species

Historical and Present Royal River Fish Species, PDF

Photo Simulations of Dam Removal

Photo Simulations of Dam Removal Process, PDF

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Portland Press Herald

Yarmouth still seeking consensus on removal of two dams

Tri-Town Weekly

Pownal Dam Gets Heave HO, 7/24/13

Portland Press Herald

Dam's removal will help restore river, 4/14/13

Royal River restoration: a three day cooperative effort has begun to remove 25 granite blocks that once formed a dam on the Yarmouth waterway.

Portland Press Herald Article and Vi deo, B/1/12

Royal River restoration in Yarmouth begins with small 'stepping stone'

Forecaster Article, 8/ 1/ 12

Yarmouth dams a Royal (River) attraction for Thai officials

Forecaster Article 3/20/ 12

Bluepr int for healthy Royal River calls for removing Yarmouth dams

Maine Voices article by Landis Hudson, 2/ 20/ 12 http://mainerivers.org/proi ects/royal-ri ver/ 3/1/2016 Royal River Restoration Project [Maine Rivers Page 3of3

Yar mouth Councilors Move Toward Removal of Royal River Dams

Forecaster Article, 12/ 6/ 11

Yarmouth Begins Dam Discussions

Fo recaster Article, 10/ 26/ 11

Yarmouth Dam Opened for Inspection

Bangor Dai ly News Article, 8/ 16/ 11

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