Regional Research and Restoration

NEW! GOMC-NOAA Habitat Restoration Grants Awarded!
Septmeber 2009
The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GOMC) and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (www.gulfofmaine.org/habitatrestoration) announced the selection of nine habitat restoration projects to be awarded a total of approximately $429,250:
•  Blackman Stream Fishway Construction, Bradley, ME
•  Little River Dam Removal, Lisbon, ME
•  West Winterport Dam (Marsh Stream) Pre-Removal, West Winterport, ME
•  Curtis Pond Dam (Boston Brook) Removal Feasibility Study, Middleton, MA
•  South Middleton Dam (Ipswich River) Removal Feasibility Study, Middleton, MA
•  Damde Meadows Tidal Restoration, Hingham, MA
•  Mayo Creek Tidal Flow Enhancement Feasibility Study, Wellfleet, MA
•  L ower Kennebecasis (Thompson Brook) Restoration, Hampton/Sussex, NB CA
•  Clementsport Dam (Moose River) Feasibility Study, Clementsport, NS CA

NEW! State Considers Ocean Energy Testing Areas in Maine Waters
In June 2009, the Maine legislature passed legislation ( L.D. 1465) which tasks the Maine Department of Conservation, in consultation with the Maine State Planning Office, to select up to five locations within Maine state waters to be designated as "Ocean Energy Testing Areas." Criteria for site selection of the testing areas include wind speed greater than 8.0 meters per second (approximately 17

miles per hour) on an annual average; ocean depths greater than 60 meters (approximately 200 feet of water); minimal conflicts with marine obstructions, dredge dumps, officially recognized shipping channels, and unexploded ordinances; and proximity to existing undersea cables or areas that have historically been pre-permitted for an undersea cable by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The MDOC will officially designate these areas on Dec. 15, 2009. For more information visit: http://www.maine.gov/doc/initiatives/oceanenergy/oceanenergy.shtml

NOAA Restoration Atlas Now Online!
September 2009
Just a month after NOAA announced the funding of 50 high-priority habitat restoration Recovery Act projects, the first set of efforts were underway. In July and August, more than 13 projects had begun, with approximately 15 others slated for construction shortly afterwards in September and another 20 slated for Januaury. From shellfish restoration to dam removal, these projects are high profile - garnering attention nationwide with visits from members of Congress, national TV news networks and journalists. If you're interested in following the progress of these efforts, we are now posting new photos, video and time lapse recordings each Friday. Visit the Restoration Atlas online at http://www.noaa.gov/recovery to get the latest.

RECENTLY RELEASED! Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Atlantic Coast Diadromous Fish Habitat: A Review of Utilization, Threats, Recommendations for Conservation, and Research Needs
January 2009
"This document is the most comprehensive compilation of habitat information to date on Commission-managed diadromous species. The primary focus of this document is on inshore and nearshore habitats along the Atlantic coast for all life stages of the included species, but offshore habitat is also discussed. Inland and coastal waters provide critical habitat for spawning, growth, feeding, and in some cases, residential habitat for diadromous fish species. Thus, impacts to these areas are
likely to have consequences for species that rely on these areas."

NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center
DAM CAM: Video of the Merrimack Village Dam Removal and River Recovery Process. The Merrimack Village Dam Removal will restore fish passage to over 14 miles of main stem and tributary habitat for river herring, Atlantic salmon, American shad, and American eel between Merrimack and Milford, NH. The project will also provide benefits to native riverine fish and wildlife, including wild brook trout.

Friends of Scarborough Marsh
Friends of Scarborough Marsh and Partners Conserve Important 46-Acre Marsh “Scarborough Marsh is a critical wildlife habitat that is enjoyed by thousands because of its uncompromised beauty,” said Roland “Danny” Martin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Ocean Wind Energy

NOAA Restoration Atlas

Merrimack Village Dam

Scarborough Marsh