MAINE PUBLIC • July 3, 2024
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is investigating allegations that the town of Phillips dredged the south branch of the Sandy River, affecting other branches where endangered Atlantic salmon migrate. The town dredged several feet down in a central channel in December, to alleviate flooding after the December rainstorm. That caused several other branches of the river to dry up, preventing Atlantic salmon migration, and destroying developing salmon eggs. The town should have contacted the state DEP and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services before altering the flow of the river.