March 2022: Letter from the President
Last year a lot was going on with FOPR and in the river. Below is a brief summary:
In June a multitude of Herring had passed Saccarappa Falls and were seen pooling below Malison Falls Dam. The official numbers of this year’s count at Cumberland Mills (below Saccarappa and beneath the Sappi Mill) was 8028 herring. Although we are not sure how many of these had passed Saccarappa from our informal viewing it was a lot. Game warden Mike Pierce then a local fisherman, Will Folsom, who knows Malison well, videoed fish pooling below Malison Dam. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga-C7or4yqc) This is the first time in over 125 years and possibly since the 1730’s when the first dams were built on the Presumpscot, that these numbers and types of fish were able to return to this part of the river. As this was the first run after Saccarappa dam removal and fish ladder were completed, we were most heartened to see so many so quickly.
Last year we were made aware that Sappi was seeking to sell off all of its hydro dams on the Presumpscot River. Since this sale will be made to smaller interests it has the potential to greatly impact any future restoration efforts. This demanded that we again activate and expand our legal efforts. Our objective is to make sure that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) do not transfer the licenses without it being required that the new entity have the legal obligations, are adequately capitalized for, and have the experience and capacity to, fulfill the requirements of the existing FERC licenses. This is an important and heavy lift.
October 2, 2021 River Cleanup
There were public events to build awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the river. We held Zoom “River Voices River Talks” around the history of Dams with Dr. Ciaran Shaughnessy of University of Denver on the biology and physiology of anadromous fish; Norwich University Professor Zak Bennett on dams and the impacts on indigenous peoples; and Tourism Potentials of the River with USM Professor and USM Director of Tourism and Hospitality Tracy Michaud. We had numerous tours most notably with about 40 teachers from across Portland Public Schools lead with Fiona Hopper. We had numerous small gatherings of particular note was our first Indigenous Peoples Day gathering at the Polin Memorial that then walked down to the river bank and the falls at Saccarappa in honor of the Abenaki that lived here this was led by Mihku Paul. Members of the Friends of Royal River also came to learn about our efforts at Saccarappa. We also held a river cleanup with an intrepid team of volunteers. This was led by David Butler of Maine Path and Paddle who donated the use of a number of canoes. In a short span dozens of tires and multiple bags of trash were pulled from the river. We are eager to continue this effort in the spring. Due to a resurgence in Covid our 3 sisters Dinner was again postponed. We miss this event greatly but hope to revive it again in 2022.
Under the leadership of Board members Wil Plumley and Peter Stuckey FOPR engaged in an effort to reclassify the lower river from Saccarappa to Presumpscot Falls in Falmouth, from a class C to a class B. This will add much needed protections to a section of river that, while winding through the most developed area in the state, still feels untouched, and Isolated. We submitted to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and they did not recommend an up-grade siting the need for further studies. We felt enough was known already from several years of monitoring and that as the statute is written it does not need to meet the criteria but instead be able to move toward achieving such. We appealed this to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) which voted to maintain the departments recommendation. Then we sought to get an amendment to a bill relative to upgrade river classifications to include the Presumpscot. After a great effort this too failed but it was a very strong effort. A number of very strong alliances were made and a lot was learned. We look forward to going at this again in the fall. Stay tuned!
Our long-term sights are on the next two dams up stream. Built in the late 19th century, and early 20th century Malison is an old and aging industrial dam. Moving a short distance upstream there is another aging industrial dam at South Windham/Little Falls (SW/LF) village. The SW/LF dam is built on the granite ledge where once a series of falls wound through the heart of the village. The continued existence of these dams will be determined by the number and species of the fish coming up the river. Counting will begin by FERC order in 2024 at the Saccarappa fish ladder. It is imperative that proper testing is done at Saccarappa so when regulatory requirements for fish passage are met it will trigger the requirements for passage at Malison and Little Falls dams. MDMR will begin testing during the spring runs in 2022 at Saccarappa Dam.
We have learned that when our rivers thrive the communities they touch thrive too. As always and of critical importance, FOPR will continue to hold the torch carried by Chief Polin through ongoing public engagement, and the legal, scientific, and strategic work necessary for restoring this river and its fishery. Our work is made possible by the support of all those that love this and all rivers.
We are an ALL VOLLUNTEER organization. As such, virtually all your support is directly applied to the FOPR mission to restore and protect water quality, river habitat and native fisheries in the Presumpscot River through stewardship, advocacy, and education, while creating recreational opportunities and instilling appreciation of the river in all the communities it touches.
Given the impact of current efforts your support is greatly needed. Please give as generously as you can! You can make your contribution here.
Michael Shaughnessy, President of the Board