MAINE PUBLIC • April 24, 2023
The Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery in Orland must reduce the amount of phosphorous it discharges into Alamoosook Lake under a proposed settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA says the hatchery, which is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hasn't met requirements under the Clean Water Act that limit phosphorous effluent, which can cause harmful algal blooms. Under the agreement, the Service must meet annual phosphorous limitations by 2025. Otherwise, it will need to build an effluent bypass or reduce the number of fish. The fish hatchery raises salmon for endangered species restoration.