Operational Plan for the Restoration of Diadromous Fishes to the ...

Over the past 20 years, there have been several studies undertaken by hydro dam
operators, University of Maine graduate students, the Maine Atlantic Salmon
Commission, and others attempting to determine the efficiency of fish passage
facilities for juvenile and adult Atlantic salmon and to understand inriver movements
of adult and juvenile Atlantic salmon. Passage at mainstem dams and inriver
movements/migrations for other anadromous fish species have not been studied in
the Penobscot River. There is a need to synthesize the Atlantic salmon information
to provide for baseline conditions and to inform future passage studies for Atlantic
salmon.
16.1.3 Develop Assessment Study Plans, Conduct Fish Passage Efficiency
Studies, and Develop Recommendations for Fish Passage Improvements for
Juvenile and Adult Atlantic Salmon, Alewife, American Shad, and Blueback
Herring at Mainstem Dams
Not all existing fish passage facilities and/or operational measures (e.g. cycling
turbines, opening sluice gates, temporary shutdown of generation) have been
assessed for the passage of juvenile and adult Atlantic salmon and none of the
existing fish passage facilities have been assessed for the passage of juvenile and
adult alewife, American shad, and blueback herring. Studies of existing fish
passage facilities will need to be undertaken to further understand bottlenecks
and/or poor performance of fish passage facilities to make them more effective in
successfully passing Atlantic salmon adults, smolts, and kelts and juvenile and adult
alewife, American shad, and blueback herring around mainstem hydro projects. Any
newly constructed fish passage facilities will need to undergo rigorous testing to
ensure they function properly and are effective in passing the target restoration fish
species. All studies should be undertaken over the course of a minimum of three
field seasons.
16.1.4 Complete Fish Passage Improvements Based on Passage Efficiency
Studies
Once fish passage efficiency studies are complete, redesign of existing facilities,
operational changes to the existing facilities, and/or installation of additional fish
passage facilities are to be undertaken.
16.1.5 Assess Fish Passage Improvements for Juvenile and Adult Atlantic
Salmon, Alewife, American Shad, and Blueback Herring at Mainstem Dams
A minimum of three field seasons are needed to verify that the improvements allow
the fish passage facilities to meet efficiency goals for passage of adult and juvenile
Atlantic salmon, alewife, American shad, and blueback herring.
16.2.1 Review FERC Licenses and Lower Penobscot River Multiparty
Settlement Agreement (MPA) for Specific Fish Passage Deliverables for
American Eel
Hydro licenses issued for the mainstem Penobscot River dams need review to
determine what articles, if any, were included by FERC that address fish passage.
Similarly, the Lower Penobscot River Multiparty Settlement Agreement (MPA)
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