Sturgeon at risk

Once again, FirstLight is threatening the highly endangered Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon as their annual spawning season approaches, this time with hydraulic fluid from Gate No. 4 of the Turners Falls Dam (Recorder, April 26). According to the report: “The action plan states that sometime in June 2022 … workers may access the pistons to make the necessary repairs.” The Sturgeon spawning season is in May. ““The hydraulic fluid observed on the surface of the Connecticut River has been limited to a sheen, with no separate-phase oil or emulsified product observed on the river surface,” says an engineering firm spokesperson. One can only wonder what is the source of the “sheen” but it seems safe to assume whatever it contains will not be healthy for the endangered sturgeon. The Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon is an ancient species. The earliest remains of the species are from the Late Cretaceous Period, over 70 million years ago. FirstLight Power was formed in November 2006. FirstLight is way out of their league and have a lot to learn.

Don Ogden

Florence