For many decades, the tributaries of the lower Kennebec and Penobscot rivers have been documented to hold small populations of fully wild Atlantic salmon.

Since records indicate these small streams have rarely or ever been stocked with Atlantic salmon, there is no question that the salmon now in them are truly wild. Since these small tributaries of the lower Kennebec and Penobscot have no blueberry or aquaculture activities in or near their watersheds, protecting them is a simple matter of working with small, local landowners to protect the natural character of these streams.

My experience shows that most small, locally based landowners are usually very proud of the natural beauty of the streams that abut their property and are quite willing to protect them. Having walked nearly all of these streams, I can say that much of this protection is simple. It means keeping dairy cows 20 feet from the river, not developing or cutting trees right up to the riverbank, not driving skidders through the river, and not letting storm drains from parking lots dump their road sand and motor oil straight into wild Atlantic salmon habitat.

Most of this work could have been started five years ago and completed today if the state had taken an interest in these small wild salmon streams and made a modest investment in their continued health. To date, the state has refused to do so and no work has been done.

It doesn’t have to be this way. All Gov. Angus King has to do is say he cares about the Kenduskeag Stream, Colson Stream, Hawes Stream, Carley Brook, Eaton Brook, Wescot Stream, Bond Brook, Worromontogus Stream and Cobbosseecontee Stream and the wild Atlantic salmon that still live in them. With care and money, these small, delightful streams and their wild salmon can be protected in perpetuity. Douglas Watts Maine Council Atlantic Salmon Federation, Augusta