TO THE EDITOR: THE NORTHFIELD NEWS AGROWING COALITION of individuals and groups is supporting the removal of the Swanton Dam in order to resurrect the mighty fish runs that for thousands of years ran from Lake Champlain up the Missisquoi River to historic spawning grounds below Highgate Falls.

If accomplished, the benefits to the Village and community of Swanton, the people of Vermont, and the natural resources of Lake Champlain and the Missisquoi River would be a gift that truly would “keep on giving.”

If you want to see for yourself what it might be like, get on your computer, and go to “Youtube.com.” Search using the key words: (Pulaski New York Fishing) or (Wolf River Wisconsin Sturgeon). Watch a few of the videos that the search returns. Removal of the Swanton Dam could one day bring scenes like these to Swanton and the Missisquoi.

The dam is dead.

The Swanton Dam has not contributed to the industry of Swanton Village since the mills were abandoned in the 1940s. The vibrant industrial community that once revolved around the dam site on the Missisquoi River is gone. For 150 years, this industry depended on the river as its power source. Industry and technology have changed through time. Today, the Swanton Dam site is simply not capable of producing enough dependable power to supply industry on a scale that is profitable within our global economy. It is not capable of transforming Swanton back to the industrial community it once was. There is little doubt that if entrepreneurs could have gained a reasonable return on investment at this site, the dam site would not have remained fallow for the past 60 years. It is what it is. The dam is dead.

Yet, the river lives on.

The river has been a vital natural resource sustaining the lives of people for most of the past twelve thousand years since the last ice sheet receded. Before it first provided power for the industries of European settlers, the river provided swarming runs of walleye, Atlantic salmon, lake sturgeon and other species as well as a transportation route for many generations of native people.

All of this changed with the coming of European colonists. European colonists valued the power supply provided by the river more than the river’s supply of fish. They developed agricultural sources of food in abundance. Recreational fishing was merely a luxury that most could not afford. Work in the factory and on the farm left many with little time for recreation.

All things change. In this case, change has traveled in full circle. Although today’s people still don’t really need the fish as a food supply, many have more free time and desire to spend time fishing. Today, quality recreational fishing opportunities are a source of great economic and social value. The 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation estimated that anglers spent $64 million dollars in Vermont in 2006. Unfortunately, there is no accounting for the huge personal/social value of their fishing associated experiences.

Since 2006, improvements in fishing opportunities resulting from sea lamprey control and other measures intended to improve fishing have resulted in a steady increase in fishing license sales. This demonstrates that if the fishing is improved more people will come to fish and spend money.

So, if we restore the river and the fishery to predam conditions, it seems pretty clear that “they will come” to fish or to watch the fish.

A boat tour of the Missisquoi River between the Swanton and Highgate Falls dams is scheduled for Saturday, May 22.

This event will begin at 9 a.m. and launch out of the Fish and Wildlife Fishing Access on Route 7 at the south end of John’s Bridge in Swanton. A van will also run between the dams to allow people who may not want to go by boat to participate.

This tour is intended to familiarize and inform the public about the river and with the values and benefits that would be derived from removal of the dam and restoration of fish passage and fish runs from Lake Champlain. The beautiful 7 ? mile stretch of the Missisquoi between the Swanton and Highgate Falls dams contains most of the spawning habitat that once supported tremendous spawning runs of walleye, sturgeon and Atlantic salmon from Lake Champlain.

Removing the dam is about doing something good: doing something good for the fish; good for the river; good for the lake; good for business; and good for the people of Swanton and the State of Vermont. There will remain plenty of room for all of us to respect and revere the history of Swanton’s industrial era.

Come and join us.

WAYNE LAROCHE Vermont Commissioner of Fish & Wildlife