Atlantic Salmon Habitat Protection & Mitigation
Maine Department of Transportation
Augusta, ME
During the course of a major
highway project, the Maine
Department of Transportation
(DOT) rebuilt a bridge crossing the
Narraguagus River in a juvenile
rearing area for a stock of sea-run
Atlantic salmon. This stock of
salmon is federally listed as
genetically unique and requires
special protection under the ESA.
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and media attention
concerning the removal of geologic
bridge construction materials
required Maine DOT to design and
implement a unique monitoring,
habitat assessment and
enhancement program.
Due to the high-profile nature of this concern, and the need for assessment and mitigation phases to be completed as expediently as possible, a qualified habitat expert was required to assist the Maine DOT. During the removal of materials from the streambed phase, Kleinschmidt provided the biological expertise to independently supervise and document all actions, and served as liaison between Maine DOT and US EPA. At the end of the removal phase, Kleinschmidt filed documentation on behalf of Maine DOT with US EPA.
Kleinschmidt next consulted extensively with the US EPA and Maine Atlantic Salmon Authority (MASA) to develop a detailed plan to quantitatively assess post-removal impacts to salmon habitat located downstream from the construction site. As part of the process, Kleinschmidt obtained and reviewed detailed GIS aquatic habitat data from the Narraguagus River basin, and led a study team comprised of biologists and a geologist to complete the assessment. Despite unfavorable field conditions, Kleinschmidt completed the assessment and reporting phases so expediently and comprehensively that the Maine DOT and US EPA were able to review the information, agree to, and execute a complete habitat mitigation plan in less than one month from the time of the assessment investigation . Kleinschmidt’s supervision and documentation of the mitigation action enabled the Maine DOT to quickly resolve all technical issues with the MASA and US EPA, and prompted MASA to formally commend the Maine DOT for a responsive and expedient follow-up.
Major Issues:
- Bridge Rebuild
- Genetically Unique Salmon Stocks
- Salmon Habitat Protection
- Pre-Construction Assessment
- Post-Construction Impacts Assessment
- Habitat Mitigation Plan
For further information contact Brandon Kulik, Kleinschmidt, Pittsfield, Maine (207) 487-3328.