Nearly $4.5 Million for Caribou Mill Pond Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $4,459,000 to restore Caribou Mill Pond in the Fiscal Year 2023 Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.  As the Ranking Member and lead Republican on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins co-authored the bill. 

The omnibus funding package passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29.  It will now be passed by the House before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Caribou Mill Pond is a wonderful natural resource for the Caribou community, but the deterioration of the dam has negatively affected the water quality and limited the habitat for wildlife,” said Senator Collins.  “Restoring the pond will enhance recreational, fishing, and birding opportunities for local families and visitors.  Additionally, the pond can serve as an outdoor classroom when it is once again thriving with aquatic reptiles, fish, birds, ducks and aquatic plants.”

“Given its location in the heart of Caribou, the Caribou Mill Pond is an important resource for our citizens as well as migratory waterfowl, native species of birds and fish,” said Penny Thompson, Caribou City Manager.  “Due to the size and nature of the project, the citizens of Caribou needed a partner, and we are very grateful to Senator Susan Collins for answering that call and assisting the Caribou Parks & Recreation Foundation restore the Caribou Mill Pond, dam and fishway.”

“Once the pond is restored and fishway installed the ability for the citizens to enjoy this natural resource in the center of our community is wonderful.  The one thing that we are excited to return is the annual fall migration of the Canada Geese,” said Gary Marquis, Superintendent of Caribou Parks and Recreation Department.

Caribou Mill Pond is over 124 years old and was originally used to hold logs awaiting to be milled, making it a key part of Caribou’s history.  In recent years, however, the water level has dropped by several feet due to the deterioration of the crest of the dam and flashboards.  The reduction in the water level has led to significant vegetation growth along the bank from more dry conditions and decreasing acreage and volume of water in the pond. 

To remedy this and preserve the Pond, this funding will support a project by the Caribou Parks and Recreation Foundation to excavate the pond, remove vegetation, rebuild the dam, and build a fish passage.

With the dam rebuilt and the fish passage installed, the environment will be suitable to increase the wild brook trout population and other fish.  In addition, Caribou Mill Pond is known to be a popular destination for waterfowl, and this project will help increase habitat for these birds.  

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