Maine Public Radio news story
Governor John Baldacci says he has sent a proposal that would allow alewives to travel up the St. Croix River to the Passamaquoddy tribe for their consideration before he responds to the International Joint Commission that is urging he restore the access of the fish to their traditional spawning grounds.
Earlier this year the International Joint Commission sent a letter to Governor Baldacci asking he reopen the entire St. Croix waterway to the alewife, or the joint US-Canadian panel would have to consider action on their own. The Governor says he wants the Passamaquoddy Tribe to weigh in on the process. “They did not want the state policy to erode what they felt to be a historical impact into their waters, so I made sure that my administration worked with Chief Nicholas and allowed him and his tribe to review proposals and be able to pass on proposals.”>br />
The Governor has sent a draft plan to the tribe for their consideration at a meeting this week. Last month an international group of environmentalists urged the re-opening of the entire waterway, but recreational fishing groups are worried the alewives will decimate the smallmouth bass fishery.
