Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-04
Fishway at the Kennebec Dam.

At the last meeting OF the Kennebec As ocis-
tion for the Protection Of Fish and Game, the fol-
| lowing preambes and resolutions were passed
| WHEREAS, The Kennebec wa. originally one
of the best food fish producing rivers in the State
producing more food in salmon shad and slewives
than S32 ono square acres of the best cultivated
| land without the cost of cultivation. The annual
| net income from the salmon fisheries of the Ken
nehec according to estimates made in the report
| of the Fish Commissioners in 1869. based on rv-
crs Of Europe, similarly situated should be $780,
600 in gold and the net income from the shad and
alew.ves would exceed this amount, making a to-
tai net income of more than $4,000; a greater
income than the rental of all the mills and fscto-
'ries on the Kenncbec waters. And
WHEREAS, This supply of food has been near
" destroyed by dam across the Kenn"bec river
at Angusfa, preventing the above named fish
from ascending the river 10 deposit their spawns
in suitable place for propagation. And
WHEREAS. The owners of the kennebec Dam
having failed to build suitable f-h-way, to Il e
great injury Of the Inhabitants of Augusta and all
persons living on the Kennebec river, and this too.
after receiving a magnificent donation of $780,
600 to improve the Augusta water power. And
WHEREAS, A desirable fish way would only
cos $1,000 And
WHEREAS, It was especially providedhy an Act
of the Legislature, March 7, 1884, granting
charter to he Kennehec Dam Co., that, at shall
be the duty Of said corporation to construct and
maintain from the 10Th of April TO the 10Th of Ju
" IN each wear, EOOu ana sum tent pas-Age-wHN
up. through or over said dam, aud ut the most
suitable pat of same as to rend n the passage
of salmon, she'd and alewives practicable and
cay, so thst The same may go up the said river
into the fresh water ponds, streams and other wat
ers connected with the Kenuehec river above sad
dam AM the public laws of 1873 chap. :, sec.
,. provides that, 'cvery dam other artificial oh
struct'on in any river or s'rea naturally fire.
quented nv salmon, shad or 2lewves shall he
provided by the owner or occupant thereof with
! a desirable and efficient fish. way, of such form
and cauacitv, and in such location "a NAV he de-
tCrmined hv the Commissioners of Fisheries y
Sec. 3. If a f IL way thus rcqnir-
ed to he built il not com eied to the satisfaction
of the Commissioners, within the time specified
anv owner or occupant shall forfeit not more than
> 90 lr.s than 500 for every day, between the
frs dav Of Nav and the fest day Of November
du'ing which such neglect continues. therefore, :
ResO}red, That the kennebec Association fDr
the protection of Fi.h and Game, resp ,ctuly and
earnestly request the Fish Commissioners of the
State OF Maine to Immediately take measures
to procure the building of suitable ish-wav
over the Kennebec Dam at Augusta; AMI that
the Association pledges itself TO every legi'i-
mate means 10 il. power to aid in the speedy
bu ildrg Of said fshwsy
HtsOlued, That a copy of the above preamble
and resolves be forwarded to the Fish CommI--
sioners of Maine to the Agent or owners of the
kennehec Dam; and that the Kennebec Jour
nal. Ma ine standard and Maine Farmer be re-
quested u publish them 10 their next issues.