The comments made by Mike Butler, Bucky Owen and John Dimond in their Jan. 21 column would have you believe that Facilitators Improving Salmonid Habitat is simply a “local, small, volunteer organization” working “to restore rivers and their migratory fish populations.” On the surface, who would question these good old local boys in their efforts at helping the sea-run fish swim upstream?

But there could be more to this “local, small” group than what has been portrayed. For example, in the FISH application filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the removal of the West Winterport dam, FISH stated that they were formed by the Maine Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation for the specific purpose of removing dams. It is also interesting that FISH president Clinton Townsend is on the board of directors of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, which is one of the four members of the Kennebec Coalition. The other Kennebec Coalition members are Trout Unlimited, Atlantic Salmon Federation and American Rivers.

These nationwide groups take great satisfaction in having been instrumental in the removal of the Edwards Dam in Augusta which was the first operating dam to be removed despite the opposition of the owner. They are also pressing for the removal of the Fort Halifax dam in Winslow. So it appears that even though they may be local, they seem to be well connected and are in lockstep with the other dam removal advocates.

As far as the fair-market value of the property, FISH and [dam owner John] Jones have pretty well established the value at $1 through the back and forth “sales” over the last year. Since FISH elected to remove the level-control valve, dismantle the fish ladder baffles and drain the impoundment this past September, it would seem only appropriate that FISH bring the dam back to code since there are only three months until the spring migration of sea run fish.

And if FISH is so confident that a 600 gpm dry fire hydrant is possible, why do they not construct this fire protection requirement prior to removing the dam rather than wait for up to six months after removal?

It would seem likely that the towns of Winterport and Frankfort could secure state and federal grants to preserve the dam and the associated benefits to the community as other local communities have done. I would suggest that it may be more appropriate to use these taxpayer grant dollars to preserve rather than to destroy as FISH is intending to do. And if FISH is so considerate of the town’s and citizens’ concerns, why have they objected to FERC being able to hear the voices of the local community?

Yes, there is a defining moment on the horizon, but I think the real question is, will the special-interest environmental groups be able to force their narrow agenda on the local communities rather than allowing the best balanced choices to be made for the environment, the people, multiple-use recreation opportunities and the fish ?

Ken Fletcher lives in Winslow.