The Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act will provide a $140,000 disbursement to fund projects aimed at improving aquatic passages for Atlantic salmon.
These initiatives are not recent developments. For several years, the staff at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, among others, have been engaged in constructing or refurbishing durable bridges and culverts. These structures had suffered damage and degradation due to flooding, beaver dams, and other conditions. This work was part of the park's 2023 operations. According to a March 4 news release from the US National Park Service, this additional funding will facilitate more passage improvements and further restoration of Atlantic salmon habitat.
"We are pleased to receive funding to continue to improve Atlantic salmon habitat at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. We look forward to continued engagement with Maine-based contractors, tribes and partners to make a difference in the Penobscot River watershed," stated park superintendent Mark Wimmer in the same news release.
According to information on the species provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic salmon are a protected species that inhabit both saltwater and freshwater environments. The fish is endangered in the Gulf of Maine and is typically found in the New England region. NOAA indicates that they were once native to many coastal rivers northeast of New York City’s Hudson River. Factors such as dams, overfishing, and pollution have contributed significantly to their decline.
Situated in Penobscot, Maine, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument spans 87,564 acres filled with numerous attractions for visitors. Apart from winter camping experiences, it is recognized as a Dark Sky Sanctuary — an area devoid of electric lights during nighttime or commercial power sources. In 2020, it received designation as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary — only the second within the National Park Service and the first certified in Maine as well as in the New England region. The monument also hosts an annual event called Stars Over Katahdin, during which astronomers observe celestial objects above the monument. According to the National Park Service's "Plan Your Visit" page for the national monument, this event is sponsored by the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters.
