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Caribou approves engineering contract for Mill Pond dam, fishway project funded by federal appropriation
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to sign a professional services agreement with Aviation Engineering to design dam repairs, dredging and a fishway at Mill Pond using $4.5 million in congressionally directed funding; staff expect permitting and design work over the summer.
Caribou — The City Council voted to authorize a professional services agreement with Aviation Engineering to lead engineering, permitting and project management for the Mill Pond dam repair, dredging and fishway project, work funded by a federal congressional allocation.
Lede details: Shane McDougall of Aviation Engineering told the council the project—funded in recent federal appropriations at about $4.5 million—includes three principal elements: repair the dam to its prior elevation, dredge shallow areas of the pond and construct a fishway required by resource agencies.
Why it matters: The project responds to the 2018 dam failure and adds an environmental restoration component (a fishway) required by fisheries and environmental regulators. The work will alter public waterways and requires multiple permits, including a HUD NEPA review because federal funds are involved, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Natural Resources Protection Act review, Army Corps permits and beneficial‑use approval for dredge material.
Plans and schedule: McDougall said the city has met with the planning board and regulators and plans to complete the HUD NEPA review by July and DEP and Army Corps permits by August, with preliminary and final design following. Because of seasonal bidding conditions, construction is not expected this year; staff anticipate bidding in 2026 and construction thereafter.
Council action: The council voted to give the manager authority to sign the professional services agreement with Aviation Engineering; the roll call vote was unanimous. McDougall said Avian Engineering will provide survey, geotechnical investigation, environmental permitting, engineering design and HUD project administration.
Ending: Councilors and staff said they will monitor permitting milestones and return to the council as construction procurement and schedules are firmed.
