Officials and Communities Celebrate River Restoration in Massachusetts
OutdoorHub 10.23.12
Federal and state environmental officials, local partners and community members gathered last week at two dam removals that connect to larger restoration initiatives on Amethyst Brook, which eventually feeds into the Connecticut River, and the Mill River in eastern Massachusetts. On October 17, partners kicked off the removal of the Bartlett Rod Shop Company Dam in Pelham, a project that will benefit sea lamprey, American eel, brook and brown trout, and slimy sculpin. The partnership aims to also remove the upstream Orient Springs dam, ultimately restoring nine miles of stream flowing into the Fort River. On October 19, partners in Taunton celebrated the removal of the Hopewell Mills Dam, benefiting river herring, shad and American eels. The removal is the first step in a project to reconnect 30 miles of tributaries by removing three dams on the Mill River and providing a structure to pass fish across a fourth dam.
