Aquatic Passage Improvements for Endangered Atlantic Salmon

This effort is to repair substandard or failing culverts and bridges to provide for endangered Atlantic salmon passage in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The entire monument drains into the Penobscot River, through the East Branch and its tributaries. The exact number of substandard culverts and bridges is still being determined, but over 500 culverts and/or bridges are known. Each culvert or bridge is assessed for salmon passage to determine how to improve habitat and maintain the flow of cool waters to facilitate spawning. These improvements also have the potential to benefit declining native brook trout populations.