To the editor:
The decision of the Newbury selectmen to leave the Larkin Road dam in its current state has received much attention over the past few weeks. I write this letter with the hope that the discussion will continue and that residents of the town will take the initiative to further educate themselves on the matter.
I am confident that in doing so, residents will come to the same conclusion that the state and federal experts have — that the dam should be removed, and that "the potential threat to downstream well water quality is minimal to non-existent."
Currently, the sticking point for several public safety officials is the potential harm that removal of the dam could pose to the water supply. I don't fault these officials for proceeding with caution regarding removal of the dam. However, they have not offered any technical evidence to support their position that the dam should remain. Further, arguing that the dam should remain as a safety precaution (to help mitigate hazardous material spills from Interstate 95) is counter-intuitive, as the crumbling dam itself presents a safety hazard — and major liability for the town.
The Parker River was once the centerpiece of a healthy river ecosystem. Today it is not, and dams like the Larkin Road dam are a significant part of the problem. Clearly our organization — Trout Unlimited — is interested in restoring wild populations of trout and salmon to our North Shore rivers. The bigger picture, however, entails restoring a vibrant river ecosystem that provides clean cold water for human populations along the river, as well as for the inhabitants of the river.
Communities across the nation are removing large and small dams to restore rivers and their natural ecosystems. According to American Rivers, a national river restoration group, approximately 1,000 dams have been removed in the U.S. Beyond allowing for greater use and recreation for Newbury residents, the Larkin Road dam's removal could have positive implications well beyond the town's borders. No doubt, you've read of the demise of herring populations in the Parker River. Removing the dam could potentially bolster these populations, directly benefiting the marine fisheries of the commonwealth and the economies reliant on them.
On the North Shore, most of us have neighbors or friends that either fish commercially or captain fishing charters. Fishing has always been an important part of the local economy, and the herring that rely on the Parker are essential to the future of these industries.
I hope that the residents of Newbury will further educate themselves about the Larkin Road dam removal. The Town of Newbury has a rich history of protecting its natural resources. Removing the Larkin Road dam would be a big step in restoring a resource that is in significant decline.
Kevin Correa
President, Nor'East Chapter — Trout Unlimited
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