PENOBSCOT FUNDING TIDE

The announcement by the White House on Friday that it has proposed $10 million in the president’s budget to restoring the Penobscot River gives a mighty push to a worthy project. The administration is right to support this environmental gain, and its contribution will certainly spur even more private investment.

Sen. Susan Collins recently requested that the Office of Management and Budget consider additional funding to help purchase two dams from PPL Corp. That would begin the process of restoring the natural flow of the river and restoring habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon and shortnose sturgeon. She was successful, and the added funding, combined with public and private funding already raised, would move the project close to completing its first phase, the purchase of the dams.

Sens. Collins and Olympia Snowe have been consistent and effective campaigners for the five-year restoration project. Their help will also be needed for a second $25 million phase, the removal of the two dams and bypassing of a third. To that end, the newly introduced Penobscot River Restoration Act, which authorizes the federal government to fund up to 65 percent of the project, will be crucial to Maine’s success.

The Penobscot, the largest freshwater source for the Gulf of Maine, is an important source of feed fish for groundfish in the gulf. Increasing the number of migratory fish, such as striped bass, in the river could help boost marine fisheries while providing benefits for migratory birds and adding to economic and cultural traditions along its length.

The agreement also called for increased power production and fishway improvements at the dams that will remain in operation. PPL Corp. has already received permission from the Federal Energy Commission to slightly increase the height of dams in Orono, West Enfield and Medway. This will increase the size of the impoundments behind each dam, pushing more water through the turbines and generating more electricity.

The project, careful in its planning and fair in its execution, could have a major positive effect on the region. President Bush was right to recognize these benefits in his support of such an important restoration.