EDMUNDS – The Downeast Salmon Federation says the deeding of 40 acres of land along the Dennys River to the group could be the first step toward creating a salmon hatchery in the area.

The Dennys Rivers Sportsman’s Club turned over the land to the salmon federation recently. Federation Executive Director Dwayne Shaw says the group hopes to create a hatchery that could produce more than 200,000 salmon per year. He says the group hopes the hatchery can be constructed within five to ten years.

Some of the property could be used for fly-fishing instruction and skeet shooting.

The Downeast Salmon Federation also has hatcheries on the Pleasant and East Machias rivers.