Maine gets $5M to restore northern fish habitat

Maine has been awarded $5 million in federal funds to improve fish migration on the St. Croix River on part of the state's border with Canada, one of only 55 proposals of 527 submitted this year.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources’ project will aid migration at the Milltown and Woodland dams to significantly improve fish passage in historic spawning habitat. Connective bodies of water for river herring and other at-risk species will be expanded as well. The initiative will also help boost the health of the watershed and economic vitality in the St. Croix River and the Bay of Fundy. Collaboration between U.S. federal agencies, Canadian agencies, Tribal Nations, the state of Maine and other conservation partners will continue through the project.

"The St. Croix River and its watershed play a key role in sustaining the health of the ecosystem and the economy in Eastern Maine,” U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, said in a joint statement.

“By improving fish passages along the river, this project will help restore critical habitat to protect native fish populations, while also supporting migratory birds and other wildlife," they added. "We welcome this investment to preserve the environment and benefit current and future generations of anglers.

Collins, the ranking member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

She and King have both worked to negotiate and pass that legislation, which will deliver billions of dollars to Maine for investments in roads, bridges, broadband and other infrastructure.

The funding was allocated through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s America the Beautiful Challenge. Grants awarded through the program support projects that conserve, restore and connect habitats for wildlife while improving community resilience and access to nature.