The Alna Board of Selectmen is putting out a call to the community to form a committee to explore a proposal for the Head Tide Dam from the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association and the Atlantic Salmon Foundation.
First Selectman David Abbott reported the details of his conversation with Steve Patton, of the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, and Andrew Goode, of the Atlantic Salmon Foundation, at the selectmen’s meeting Dec. 30.
“Essentially what they want to do is put in a fishway,” Abbott told the selectmen. Patton and Goode proposed working with a local committee to discuss either buying the dam from the town or negotiating an agreement with the town that would enable their organizations to either modify or remove the dam to facilitate fish passage.
According to a fish passage assessment prepared by Stantec in August 2008, the Head Tide Dam, constructed in 1916, “is a candidate for fish passage improvement.” The report noted that existing portals for fish passage are frequently clogged and limit the access of various species to their historic spawning and rearing habitat.
The Sheepscot River Watershed Council proposed removing or altering Head Tide Dam in Alna in 2009 to facilitate fish passage. The proposal failed.
The Head Tide Dam was given to the town of Alna in 1964 with the stipulation that it not be destroyed – a directive contained in the dam’s deed.
“I have a feeling people will be suspicious of them buying the dam,” Abbott said, “but this isn’t up to me.”
The Alna selectmen decided to put a call out to the community to see if there was interest in forming a committee to discuss the future of Alna’s Head Tide Dam. “The committee that I’m envisioning would involve a broad cross-section of people,” Abbott said.
Representatives from local environmental groups and the historical society were identified as potential members of the committee, which was given the preliminary title of The Dam Fishway Committee. Second Selectman David Reingardt volunteered to serve on the committee.
“I can’t tell you what will happen,” Abbott said. “We should go with what the committee recommends.”
Patton and Goode presented a similar proposal for Coopers Mills Dam to the Whitefield Board of Selectmen Dec. 23. The Whitefield selectmen are currently discussing the best course of action to follow to form a committee and ensure full community participation.
In other business, nomination papers are currently available at the Alna Town Office. The second and third selectman seats, road commissioner, treasurer, and a seat on the RSU 12 Board of Directors will be voted on at the March town meeting.
