WERU Special: Great Works Dam Removal 6/15/12

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Program Topic: We take you to the banks of the Penobscot River in Bradley on Monday morning, where removal of the 200 year old Great Works Dam was about to get underway. You’ll hear the Penobscot Nation Chief, Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree, US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and others, explaining the significance of the Penobscot River Restoration project.

Key Discussion Points:
a) Background on the dam removal
b) Reasons for removing the dam
c) Next steps in the Penobscot River Restoration Project

Call In Program: No

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RadioActive 6/14/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Penobscot River Restoration Project, with John Banks of the Penobscot Nation: Great Works at Old Town going down.

Key Discussion Points:

a) On Monday, work began to remove the Great Works dam on the Penobscot River in Old Town. It is the first step in re-opening 1000 miles of the river to sea run fish, including alewives, herring, sturgeon and Atlantic salmon. In 2013, the Veazie Dam is scheduled to be removed. The Milford and Howland dams will install new fish lifts and by passes.

b) The Penobscot River Restoration Project has been called one of the largest fishing restoration projects in the history of the country, and now serves as a global model for cooperative conservation efforts. The project includes conservation groups, utilities, government entities, including the Penobscot Indian Nation.

c)The Penobscot Nation, which has been on the ground floor of this project, has offered instrumental perspective and leadership on the project, based on their unique relationship with the Penobscot River

Guests:

A) John Banks, tribal member, Director of the Department of Natural Resources for the Penobscot Nation, founder and member of the Penobscot River Restoration Project www.penobscotriver.org/

Call In Program: no

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Talk of the Towns 6/8/12

Host: Paul Anderson, University of Maine Sea Grant
Engineer: Joel Mann

Issue: Marine resources development
Program Topic: Sea Weed Aquaculture

Key Discussion Points (list at least 3):
a) History of Ocean Approved, Inc. producing cultured sea weed food products
b)Seaweed Aquaculture – process, species, research and development
c)Seaweed Products and market opportunities
d)What is Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture – defined and developments
e) What are Potential User Conflicts and integration with commercial fishing
f) How does seaweed aquaculture fit into Maine’s Seafood industry in general

Guests:
A) Sarah Redmond, Maine Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension
B) Dana Morse, Maine Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension
C) Shepp Erhardt, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables
D) Tolef Olsen, Ocean Approved, Inc. (by telephone)

Call In Program: Yes

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