At the urging of two conservation organizations, the Alna and Whitefield boards of selectmen separately agreed to form committees of stakeholders interested in the future of two dams on the Sheepscot River.
Meeting Feb. 11, Alna selectmen voted unanimously to form an ad hoc committee of Alna stakeholders to consider proposals for the future of the Head Tide Dam. The previous evening, Feb. 10, Whitefield selectmen decided to form a committee of Whitefield stakeholders to discuss the future of the Coopers Mills Dam.
Atlantic Salmon Federation Vice President of U.S. Programs Andrew Goode and Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association Executive Director Steve Patton approached both boards on separate occasions, requesting the formation of committees in each town to discuss proposals for the respective dams.
Both dams are located on the Sheepscot River, a natural spawning and rearing habitat for Atlantic salmon, and are owned by the towns in which they are located.
The Atlantic Salmon Federation is devoted to the conservation, protection, and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and their ecosystems. The federation is engaged in projects throughout Maine to remove or modify dams to facilitate fish passage.
The federation coordinates with local committees to determine the nature of their projects.
The removal or modification of the Coopers Mills Dam and the Head Tide Dam to facilitate fish passage had been unsuccessfully proposed in previous years by the Sheepscot River Watershed Council.
In December 2014, Goode said he hopes to bring new resources and a fresh approach to the almost decade old debate in both towns to find a solution that benefits all involved.
Whitefield selectmen are in the process of identifying stakeholders to appoint to the Coopers Mills Dam committee.
Alna selectmen approved a mission statement for the Head Tide Dam Committee, presented by Third Selectman David Reingardt, on Feb. 11.
According to the mission statement, the Head Tide Dam committee will explore proposals to create a historic memorial at the site, improve fish passage, improve the site’s recreational and educational potential, and reduce the town’s long-term liability and need for future repairs at the site.
The mission statement calls for a letter of understanding between the Atlantic Salmon Federation and Alna to delineate the responsibilities of each party and recognize the Head Tide Dam’s deed restriction.
The Head Tide Dam was conveyed to Alna in 1964 with the stipulation that it not be destroyed.
The letter of understanding will also clarify that the committee, composed strictly of Alna residents, will have authority over decisions regarding the future of the site. “The committee will be in charge at all times,” Reingardt said. “Nothing goes on without the approval of the committee.”
Second Selectman Jonathan Villeneuve suggested including a map with the mission statement to represent ownership of land around the site.
The selectmen tabled discussion of the committee’s size and membership for a future meeting.
