NOAA and the other Gulf-Chevron Terminal Facility case Trustees released a draft restoration plan proposing projects to restore areas affected by multiple oil spills at the site in Maine. The proposed projects will improve river ecosystem habitats in the Penobscot River watershed for a wide variety of fish and wildlife using or migrating through areas affected by the spills.

The Trustees are seeking public comment on the draft restoration plan for 30 days, ending on August 30, 2019. 

The preferred approach includes working with partners on a suite of fish passage and other projects in the watershed. Together, they'll restore different types of freshwater and tidal habitats for migratory fish like Atlantic salmon, and river herring, as well as invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Projects and project partners include:

• Maine Coast Heritage Trust: Bagaduce Watershed Fish Passage Restoration Project in Brooksville and Sedgwick.
• The Nature Conservancy: Snow Brook Fish Passage Restoration Project in Sedgwick.
• Atlantic Salmon Federation: Kenduskeag Headwaters Resiliency Project in Charleston.
• Lane Construction: Sucker Brook Corridor and Watershed Improvement Project in Hampden.

More details about the projects can be found in the Draft Restoration Plan and NEPA Evaluation for the Chevron Marine Oil Terminal Facility, (PDF, 66 pg). ​Comments can be submitted via:

• E-mail: Scott.Whittier@maine.gov 
• Mail: Scott Whittier
  Maine Department of Environmental Protection
  17 State House Station, 28 Tyson Drive
  Augusta, ME 04333-0017

What happened?

The site, in Hampden, Maine, is an inactive Chevron marine terminal with empty, above-ground storage tanks, and other industrial infrastructure. Chevron is responsible for several oil spills at the site, totaling approximately 60,000 gallons over a long period of time. The Trustees reached a settlement with the company in 2016 to pay for the restoration.

Of most concern at the site are PAHs from the oil and gas found in the river’s sediment. These toxins impacted habitat for migratory fish species and other wildlife, including the endangered Atlantic salmon. 

Why are we working with partners?

Partnerships are key components of our work restoring areas after oil spills, hazardous waste releases and ship groundings. They provide NOAA and other natural resource Trustees additional options for building restoration projects to quickly address natural resource injuries.  In addition, partners bring different perspectives and innovations to contribute to our restoration goals.