LD 1725, Conserve Maine’s Fisheries Last year, the Legislature directed DEP to develop rules to ensure that when roads are repaired or maintained, natural stream flow is maintained to allow the movement of fish and aquatic organisms. DEP conducted a stakeholder process to help develop the rules. The Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) adopted them unanimously. The proposed rules are based on the current practices utilized across the country and by Maine DOT to ensure that culverts and bridges span the entire width of a stream plus a little extra to account for higher flow events and to allow water dependent wildlife to move along the shore. Culverts are typically installed when a road crosses a stream. Culverts that are too small or poorly installed keep fish and other water dependent animals from moving, which they must do to find food, mates and shelter. Currently there are thousands of under-sized and poorly installed culverts fragmenting Maine’s river and stream habitat and threatening our native aquatic biodiversity. The proposed rules will help to ensure that when these culverts are replaced, they will be properly sized and installed to allow for natural transfer of nutrients and sediments and will allow for migration of fish and other aquatic organisms. Large numbers of culverts prevent fish from moving. In the lower Penobscot River a recent survey found 91% of the 533 crossings hampered fish movement. Requiring culverts that will pass natural stream flow will fix this problem. Installing properly sized culverts will prevent costly road washouts. Investing in properly sized crossings now will save taxpayer dollars in the long run. Many opportunities exist for federal funding and technical training assistance. Towns must use these standards when doing culvert work under permit by rule. However, when it is not feasible to meet these standards due to cost, or when habitat gains and threats of road washout are insufficient to justify the cost, DEP may grant exemptions if the applicants apply for a permit. Maine’s wildlife resources are critical for Maine’s economy and quality of life. The value of our natural environment is Maine’s brand and draw to the rest of the world. The legislative Natural Resources Committee has delayed implementation of the rules until January 2011 in order to allow more time for training and fundraising to assist with implementation. Urge legislators to support the majority report (ought to pass as amended) on LD 1725.
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 (Archive on Friday, March 26, 2010) Posted by Jym St. Pierre   Contributed by
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