Maine Fish Passage Projects to Receive $70.9 Million Says Congresswoman Pingree Today

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) at an Event in Portland Last Year..

Seven Maine entities are slated to receive $70.9 million from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to improve fish migration in Maine rivers according to a press release issued by the office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-1st District) today.  This is legislation that was signed into Law by President Biden last year.

“Migratory fish species like the alewife and endangered Atlanta salmon are critically important to the Penobscot and Passamasquoddy tribes, who have harvested these species for tens of thousands of years,” said Congresswoman Pingree.  “This significant funding made possible through the historic Bipartisan Infrastruacture Law and Inflation Reduction Act, will help strengthen Maine’s conservation efforts, restore access to healthy habitats and support the sustainability of commercial, recreational and tribal fisheries.”

The seven entities are:  $12 million for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point; $5.4 million for the Penobscot Indian Nation; $7.5 million for the Maine Department of Maine Resources; $18.9 million for the Nature Conservancy; $3,5 million for the City of Auburn; $13,5 million for Maine Rivers; $9.1 million for the Downeast Salmon Federation.

Today NOAA Fisheries announced a total of nearly $240 million in funding and an additional $38 million in future year funding for 45 fish passage projects under the BIL and IRA through Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal.  Grants and Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants.