American Rivers says Brentwood Hydro, Exeter watershed removals will restore river by 2026

At the Brentwood Conservation Commission’s January meeting, Dr. Andy Fisk of American Rivers outlined the organization’s role in removing the Brentwood Hydro (also called Phillips Dam) and in broader river‑restoration work on the Exeter River watershed. "In terms of timing, we believe in 2026 you will actually see the completion of the Brentwood Hydro saga and that dam will be removed and this portion of the river will then be free flowing again," Fisk said.

Fisk told commissioners that American Rivers is acting as a project partner to secure federal funds and to manage engineering and permitting: the group has issued an RFP for engineering and permitting services, will pursue Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other federal dollars, and has "taken formal control of that property in order to facilitate" federal funding and the design work. He said the dam owner has agreed that the structure should be removed and has authorized access to pursue funding.

The presentation explained why dam removal is pursued: reconnecting migratory fish runs (river herring, Atlantic salmon, American eel), improving water quality and…