Sappi Fine Paper soon will decide which of the two proposed fish passage plans – each with passionate supporters – will be used at Saccarappa Falls in Westbrook.

John Williams, a spokesman from Sappi, said this week that an Aug. 26 public meeting on the proposals was “well-attended,” and that Sappi will accept written comments on the two designs until Sept. 11. Then, he said, the company will decide on which plan to use.

Sappi, which has operated the dams for decades, has long been in discussions with the city, environmental groups and government agencies about dam removal and fish passage at Saccarappa. Engineering, design and construction on the project must be accomplished by May 2017 to meet the deadline set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“After evaluating the comments made at the meeting or submitted afterward, the company will select a preferred design,” Williams said. “Sappi is planning to re-file an application with FERC to surrender the Saccarappa Project License with the selected fishway design sometime in later 2015 or early 2016. This will still allow completion of the project by the 2017 deadline if the application is approved in a timely manner.”

Leading up to the meeting, many characterized the two plans as differing greatly in their design.

The Saccarappa site has lower and upper falls, each with a section of dam. Once fish, such as alewife, shad, herring and salmon, make it up the lower falls, there are two channels, called east and west. The east channel flows past the Dana Warp Mill side, while the west begins just under the boardwalk of Saccarappa Park.

One plan, dubbed the two-channel, would open both channels to fish passage. The other plan, the western channel, would open the west channel to fish, while keeping the east channel separate – potentially allowing recreational options for paddlers.

The differences between the plans sparked a large turnout of kayakers and canoe enthusiasts last week, who demonstrated their support for recreation on the Presumpscot River. Many lined up kayaks on the lawn at Westbrook High School, spelling out “Rec & Fish,” photographed from above by a drone.

Dozens packed the Westbrook City Council chambers for a presentation by Barry Stemm of Sappi Fine Paper, who described the two options for fish passage at the Saccarappa dam.

Attending the meeting, kayakers and proponents of recreation wearing life jackets were easily identified. However, supporters of each plan have said last week’s meeting was unnecessarily adversarial.

Michael Shaughnessy, the president of the Friends of the Presumpscot River, said this week that the tone of the meeting operated on the assumption that a choice has to be made between “whitewater and fish passage.”

“Fish passage is what it’s all about, but that doesn’t mean recreation can’t be worked into it in some way,” he said, adding that Friends of the Presumpscot River supports recreation.

Last week, local business owner and paddling advocate Rob Mitchell said the meeting seemed to establish sides over the plans, but said a compromise plan is possible.

In the high school parking lot, kayaker Alex Kerney of Boothbay Harbor grilled steak tips before the meeting.

Officer Matt Cyr, a community officer for the Windham Police Department, brought a contingent of youth and kayaks to show their support.

“I’m so glad to see a lot of people here tonight,” Stemm said as the meeting, held at the high school, got under way.

Stemm said the company would select the final fish passage design. He said the project would require extensive permitting.

Stemm said the two-channel design is slightly more expensive. He said Sappi studies have shown that the western channel is the primary route for fish and would leave the other channel available for alternatives for recreation.

Studies from Friends of the Presumpscot have indicated that they are unsure which way the fish will go.

Mitchell favored the western channel design and said recreation is a big part of bringing people to the riverfront.

“The city has big plans for recreation,” he said.

Mitchell said no one is proposing to diminish fish passage and that paddlers are pro fish passage.

Dusti Faucher of Friends of the Presumpscot said she had concerns about lack of oversight in the future and stressed the importance of getting the fish passage right.

Westbrook City Councilor Paul Emery had concerns about changing the flow and flooding downtown in the event of a “100-year storm,” but Stemm indicated in his response that removing the dams wouldn’t make any difference in regards to flooding.

Wildlife expert David Sparks of Windham wondered why the dams can’t simply be removed, perhaps allowing fish to find a way up. Stemm said the site had been altered by man even before S.D. Warren bought it, which complicates the issue.

Following the meeting, Stemm said the Saccarappa hydro power plant is still active and the financial impact of surrendering it can’t be determined.

Shaughnessy said Wednesday that he worries that the two designs were not fully explained during last week’s meeting. He said that while the site is complicated and the designs are highly technical, he feels “a lot of people left with a lot more questions than answers.”

Bill Baker, Westbrook’s assistant city administrator for business and community relations, said all parties invested in the site will meet again on Sept. 22, the next in a series of technical meetings. For the city, making sure recreational opportunities are included in the plans is a priority.

“We were very pleased by the turnout of recreation supporters and believe the city’s interests were well represented,” Baker said. “Our hope is that the next technical meeting produces a consensus-based path forward that will include successful fish passage and compatible recreation and that both get designed, permitted, funded and constructed at the same time.”

Staff reporter Robert Lowell also contributed to this story.

Dozens of people pack Westbrook City Council chambers last week to offer comments on two designs for fish passage at Saccarappa Falls. A decision on the final design is expected in the coming months.Staff photo by Robert Lowell