OXFORD — A stream crossing and dam inventory to assess fish passage barriers in the Little Androscoggin River watershed will begin in May with a training session for volunteers to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Oxford Town Office, 85 Pleasant St.

Alex Abbott, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide the training. The watershed is located within the towns of Auburn, Minot, Poland, Mechanic Falls, Oxford, Otisfield, Norway, South Paris, Hebron, West Paris, Greenwood and Woodstock. The goal is to identify potential barriers that prevent sea-run and freshwater fish, such as alewives, Atlantic salmon and Eastern brook trout from reaching upstream resting, feeding and spawning habitat.

Survey teams will consist of volunteers and technical leaders who will collect data in the immediate vicinity of the crossing. Previous surveys have found that about 40 percent of culverts at public or private stream crossings are barriers to fish and wildlife.

Collecting this information will help the state, towns and private landowners determine which crossings or dams should be modified or replaced to improve access for fish and wildlife, accommodate larger stream flows associated with more extreme precipitation events and reduce long-term roadway maintenance costs.

This work has been partially funded by grants from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and Corporate Wetland Restoration Partnership.

Participants include Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (contact Susan Gammon), Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District (contact Michele Windsor), Androscoggin River Watershed Council (contact Jeff Stern), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Alex Abbott) and Trout Unlimited volunteers.

The training session will include a two-hour morning classroom session and on-site evaluations of several crossings after the session is completed. Morning coffee and refreshments will be available. Bring a brown bag lunch, bug spray, boots and whatever items you will need to be comfortable and safe on site.

Preregistration for the free workshop is required by May 3. Contact 753-9400, ext. 400, or download a registration form at www.androscogginswcd.org, www.androscogginwatershed.org or www.oxfordswcd.net. Forms can be mailed to Androscoggin County Soil and Water Conservation District, 254 Goddard Road, Lewiston, ME 04240.

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