Small Hydro-electric Dams 



This type of installation is currently being considered as a possible 

 alterantive or supplement to other types of power supply in Maine. The effect 

 of their operations on waterfowl depends largely on the number, location, and 

 seasonal water level requirements of the impounded areas insofar as it effects 

 depth, aquatic plant growth, exposure of mud flats, and ice formation. 

 Construction and operation of a small power dam on the Kennebago River in 

 Stetsontown, Franklin County, created sizeable, high quality palustrine 

 emergent wetland adjacent to the river channel (Kennebago Logans). Waterfowl 

 abundance was high in the area for a number of years but in the last 15 years, 

 heavy recreation (fishing and summer homes) resulted in a sharp decrease of 

 waterfowl. 



Overhead Power Transmission Lines 



Although the edge effect or openness of transmission line corridors benefits 

 some terrestrial species, waterfowl often are killed when flying into the 

 lines. The frequency and magnitude of such losses are directly related to 

 their proximity to large waterfowl concentrations. Although not documented, 

 several observers reported frequent waterfowl collisions with powerlines at 

 Merrymeeting Bay (region 2) where a complex of lines crosses the Bay and 

 adjacent tributaries (e.g., Chops, Abagadasset Point, and Cathance River). If 

 more power lines are needed in the future, careful consideration should be 

 given to their location, including the desirability of underground 

 installation. 



Game Farm Mallard Releases 



Thousands of game farm mallards have been released to the wild for many years 

 in Maine. "Easter ducks" often are released on town mill ponds, and for 

 several years the Bowdoinham Rod and Gun 'Club released 1000 to 3000 

 "environmentally conditioned" domesticated mallards in the vicinity of 

 Merrymeeting Bay and other areas throughout the State. There is little 

 evidence these releases increased waterfowl abundance or hunting, and the 

 Maine Chapter of The Wildlife Society opposes further releases. It is 

 speculated that releases contributed to increased hybridization between 

 mallards and Maine's native black ducks. Recent evidence suggests the 

 frequency of black duck and mallard hybridism is increasing (personal 

 communication from R. E. Kirby, Migratory Bird and Habitat Research 

 Laboratory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD.; May, 1977). 



SOCIOECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 



Waterfowl resources are often categorized into either "consumptive" or "non- 

 consumptive" uses. "Consumptive" infers the killing of waterfowl (hunting) as 

 opposed to "non-consumptive", such as bird watching, art forms, and 

 photography. 



Consumptive Uses 



The magnitude and economic importance of the waterfowl of coastal Maine are 

 best appraised by analyzing duck stamp sales and waterfowl surveys. (Duck 

 stamps are required for all hunters over 16 years of age.) Duck stamp sales 



15-39 



10-80 



