Oars Inc

THIS PROJECT IS TO REMOVE THE TALBOT MILLS DAM IN NORTH BILLERICA, MA, ON THE CONCORD RIVER. IT IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ONLY, WHICH FOLLOWS THE COMPLETED PERMITTING PHASE (FULLY FUNDED). WHEN COMPLETED, THE TALBOT MILLS DAM WILL HAVE BEEN REMOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THIS DAM REMOVAL WILL RE-ESTABLISH MIGRATORY FISH PASSAGE FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN UP THE CONCORD RIVER TO THE SUDBURY AND ASSABET RIVERS OPENING 135 RIVER MILES OF HABITAT. IT CARRIES THE LARGEST BENEFIT OF ANY OTHER DAM IN MASSACHUSETTS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF MILES AND ACRES OF PONDS AND HABITAT ITS REMOVAL OFFERS. THE CONCORD RIVER IS ALSO ONE OF THE CLOSEST MERRIMACK TRIBUTARIES TO THE OCEAN AND ACCESSIBLE TO MIGRATORY FISH. ITS REMOVAL WILL OPEN MANY ADDITIONAL RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES UPSTREAM, CURRENTLY BEING PRIORITIZED IN ANTICIPATION OF THE REMOVAL. THIS DAM REMOVAL IS A REGIONAL PRIORITY IN THE MERRIMACK RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (2021) AND A STATE PRIORITY PROJECT. IT WILL IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND RIVERINE AND RIPARIAN HABITAT QUALITY, BUILDING A MORE CLIMATE-RESILIENT RIVER. THIS WILL BENEFIT THE WILDLIFE AND RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES BOTH LOCALLY AND IN THE GULF OF MAINE. IT WILL REDUCE UPSTREAM FLOODING AND ELIMINATE THE CHANCE OF CATASTROPHIC DAM FAILURE AND FLOODING DOWNSTREAM. THIS DAM REMOVAL SITE IS JUST DOWNSTREAM OF THE FEDERALLY-DESIGNATED SUDBURY, ASSABET AND CONCORD WILD AND SCENIC RIVER, UNDER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICES PARTNERSHIP WILD SCENIC RIVERS PROGRAM. DESIGNATED IN 1999 DUE TO ITS OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES, THE RESTORATION OF MIGRATORY FISH AND RIVER HEALTH IS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY IN THE RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THIS RIVER OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. THE GRANT RECIPIENT WILL MANAGE THE PROJECT AND OVERSEE THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS (FUNDED SEPARATELY), CONTRACTING OF THE CONSTRUCTION (REMOVAL) WORK, AND POSSIBLE MITIGATION AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.

SUDBURY, ASSABET AND CONCORD WSR ASSISTANCE

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ADDRESS TWO OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE DECLINE OF WILD EASTERN BROOK TROUT IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS WHICH ARE LOSS OF HABITAT CONNECTIVITY AND INCREASING WATER TEMPERATURE. THIS WILL BE DONE BY REMOVING AN INSTREAM BARRIER AND RESTORING CONNECTIVITY AND ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION TO THE CHANNEL AND FLOODPLAIN AND RIPARIAN CORRIDOR OF NORTH BROOK. THIS WILL ALLOW WILD EASTERN BROOK TROUT TO MOVE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM TO SPAWNING AREAS AND FOOD SOURCES AND SUMMER TEMPERATURE REFUGIA. THIS WILL ENHANCE THE RECREATIONAL FISHING OPPORTUNITIES IN NORTH BROOK. IT WILL ALSO REMOVE A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD DAM IN UNSAFE CONDITION WHICH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND IMPROVE RESILIENCY TO FUTURE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF INTENSE PRECIPITATION AND FLOODING.

RD 274 FUEL BREAK MAINTENANCE

CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

WILD AND SCENIC RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ASSABET, SUDBURY AND CONCORD RIVERS

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM