ORONO – Approximately 100 members of the scientific community met for two days at the University of Maine in Orono recently to review scientific research on the Penobscot River watershed and discuss needs and opportunities for new research related to the dam removals proposed as part of the Penobscot River Restoration Project.

The Penobscot River Science Forum: Exploring Research Opportunities on the Penobscot was convened by Penobscot Partners, a coalition of the Penobscot Indian Nation and conservation groups. The Sen. George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research at UMaine co-sponsored the meeting.

National experts in dam removal and river restoration were on hand to give presentations at the forum, including Steve Gephardt from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Brian Winter, the Elwha Project manager from Olympic National Park.

One constant theme of the forum was the opportunity that the Penobscot River project represents to the research community, both in the timing and diversity of potential topics. The dam removals will not occur for a number of years, and researchers will have the opportunity to jump-start collection of baseline data that will assist them in the long-term assessment of the project.

In addition, there was a strong sense that the unique multi-party collaboration that has brought the project thus far must be carried over into the scientific community to maximize project success.

“The science forum was an important part of our work to ensure we are well-prepared for the future of this project,” said Laura Rose Day, director of Penobscot Partners. “Bringing together state, tribal and federal natural-resource agency personnel as well as university researchers, conservation organizations and Penobscot River Restoration Project staff will help us coordinate future research and focus our efforts on the most pressing issues and needs.”

The Penobscot River Restoration Project calls for the removal of two dams along the river and the decommissioning of a third. It will open more than 500 miles of habitat to fish migrating from the ocean, improve water quality and enhance the ecology of the river’s watershed and the Gulf of Maine.

Among the guest speakers on wildlife and habitat topics were specialists from the University of Southern Maine; Maine Audubon; Penobscot Partners; Clarkson University; Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; University of Delaware, Newark; Yale University; the Nature Conservancy; and the National Park Service.

In addition, break-out session portions of the conference were led by representatives from the University of Maine, Orono; Plymouth State University; the Forest Society of Maine; and federal, state and tribal resources agencies.