PRCWA Statement on the Newbury Selectmen's decision to not remove the Larkin Mill Dam
Having attended the Nov. 29 Newbury selectmen's meeting, I believe a correction is in order. Byfield fire Chief Bill Pearson is not a member of the Parker River Clean Water Association, and his viewpoint that the dam removal would threaten the Byfield water supply does not represent the position of PRCWA.
While there was some discussion at the selectmen's meeting on whether a surface oil spill could possibly contaminate groundwater wells without the dam in place, there was no debate that the dam, through removal or natural failure, is going to come down.
PRCWA is confident that there is very little
chance of well contamination after reviewing the data contained in the
feasibility
As federal fisheries biologist Eric Hutchins stated in The Daily News story, "damage, if it fails on its own, could be catastrophic." It is also extremely unlikely that Newbury would receive the required environmental permits for the option of repairing the dam (repairs estimated at twice the cost of removal).
PRCWA is also concerned because the dam and dilapidated fish ladder act as deterrent to migrating river herring. River herring are an important forage food for larger fish such as cod, striped bass and tuna. Thus, fishermen are dependent upon the survival of this fish to benefit our local fishing industry.
It is not that our members are enamored with this
particular species of fish for aesthetic reasons, but our volunteers
realize the devastating effect the decline of river herring in the
Parker River means to the overall ecosystem and the fishing community.
Local leaders in Newbury should realize this as a truly