additional cost of construction can be ex- 

 pected to rise by about $ 1,200 per weir. 

 The increased cost of annual maintenance 

 and repair would be about $120 per weir. 



There were 82 weirs in operation in the 

 high pool in 1957--69 in Canada and 13 

 in the United States. Eleven additional 

 Canadian weir sites were licensed but 

 not operated that year. On the basis of 

 these weir numbers, the initial increase 

 in weir construction cost in this area 

 could be expected to range from $84,600 

 to $95,600--$69,000 to $80,000 for 

 Canadian weirs and $15,600 for United 

 States weirs. The increase In total annual 

 operating costs could range from $8,500 

 to $9,600--$6,900 to $8,000 for Canadian 

 weirs and $1,600 for United States weirs. 



Admittedly, some weir owners would 

 have the alternative of relocating their 

 weirs closer to shore or at sites farther 

 distant. In a number of instances this 

 might not be feasible, however, owing to 

 the topography of the immediate environ- 

 ment or the unavailability of suitable 

 sites elsewhere. In any event, it should 

 be recognized that a certain element of 

 disruption and, indeed, of cost, either 

 for material or for labor, would be 

 experienced by the majority of weir 

 owners in the area designated as the high 

 pool. 



It is not expected that weir fishermen 

 in the low pool would be seriously af- 

 fected by the proposed project. Predicted 

 oceanographic changes indicate, in a 

 general way, the reverse of the water- 

 level conditions forecast for the high 

 pool. Weirs, therefore, could be fished 

 at their present sites, although fishing 

 in approximately 5 feet less water. In 

 this event, the size of weir gear could 

 be reduced to adjust to the new water 

 levels. This would decrease construc- 

 tion and operating costs, although it 

 might also result in a reduction of weir 

 efficiency. 



An alternative to the fishernnen of the 

 low-pool area would be to relocate their 

 weirs, if suitable sites were to be found, 

 in an attempt to employ existing gear to 

 maximum potential efficiency. Such a 

 course would entail additional costs, 

 principally labor, in the first year of 

 construction, but should not be signifi- 

 cant. 



On the basis of predicted changes in 

 water temperatures following the con- 

 struction of the danns, it is anticipated 

 that the activity of wood borers will 

 increase. While it is innpossible to meas- 

 ure the extent of damage likely to result 

 from this source, it should be recognized 

 that the durability of wooden structures 

 within the impoundment will be dinnin- 

 ished. Thus, the life of untreated wood 

 structures will be reduced, which will 

 add to annual operating costs. 



The temperature changes forecast lead 

 to the conclusion that the shoreward 

 fringes of Passamaquoddy and Cobscook 

 Bays (except at and near the dams) will 

 have an ice cover during the winter 

 months after the dams are installed. 

 In this event, weir fishermen will be 

 faced with two alternatives: either to 

 dismantle all structural weir material 

 before the onset of winter for rebuilding 

 In the spring, or to leave the structures 

 to the hazards of winter and replace 

 them each spring if necessary. Whatever 

 course Is followed will add to existing 

 weir operating cost. 



The construction of the dams will re- 

 sult In some reduction of tidal currents 

 and wave actions, both of which now 

 cause some damage to weirs. To some 

 extent, this will reduce the Increased 

 costs arising from other environmental 

 changes. 



The Interaction of the changes de- 

 scribed is likely to result In an appre- 

 ciable Increase In average weir expendi- 

 tures Inside the dams. Considering the 

 nature of the prevailing weir fishery- - 

 high, relatively inflexible costs, with 

 correspondingly low retums--it Is con- 

 ceivable that weir owners will not 

 continue to maintain their Investment 

 In weirs In the area. Should this happen, 

 a capital investment of nearly $500,000 

 could eventually be displaced. A shift 

 to alternative methods of fishing could 

 be expected to maintain the fishery, at 

 least at Its present level. 



Increased temperatures and reduced 

 water exchange could favor the growth, 

 survival, and retention of lobster larvae 

 Inside the dams. This might result In a 

 modest Increase In the commercial pro- 

 duction of lobsters. Since quantitative 

 estimates of the potential gain are not 

 available, it is impossible to estimate 



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