The Kennebec River experienced a dramatic resurgence in sea-run fish populations, water quality, and wildlife with the removal of the Edwards Dam in 1999. The restored river has also helped revitalize riverfront communities. We need to continue this success by restoring access for sea-run fish to the Kennebec above Waterville.
Right now, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is conducting a dam relicensing and license-amendment process for four dams on Maine’s Kennebec River. This process only occurs every 30 years or so, so we need to act now to restore the remaining portion of the lower Kennebec and the species that used to thrive there.
In late March, FERC released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Kennebec. An EIS should be an objective analysis of environmental impacts and the steps needed to reduce them. However, in its document FERC has proposed the same fish passage measures—single upstream fish lifts and inadequate measures to keep fish out of turbines—that have failed on rivers with multiple dams everywhere else. For example, on the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, where FERC tried a similar approach, Atlantic salmon have disappeared entirely. As a result, shad and river herring populations are dismally low. There’s no reason to think these failed attempts would produce a different result on the Kennebec.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is still reviewing the EIS and will submit formal comments by the June 4 deadline. However, we know that we will at least ask FERC to require the following:
- Strong performance standards for all sea-run fish species and a requirement to meet them within two years of any fish passage construction. Failure to meet these standards should require concrete next steps, such as construction of additional fish lifts, rather than vague promises that federal agencies will just discuss future problems with dam owners.
- A requirement for ¾-inch screens on all turbines at all four of the dams. Narrow screens like this are necessary to keep downstream migrating juvenile salmon, river herring, and shad out of turbines, where they can be injured or killed. This type of screening is U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy for protecting downstream migrating adult eels.
- At least two upstream fish lifts at each dam. We know single fish lifts fail to pass Atlantic salmon and American shad effectively.
- Serious consideration of dam removal.
Artwork by Zoe Ciolfi
Now is the Time to Restore the Future of the Kennebec
As Mainers who care about the future of the Kennebec, we need to work together on a solution that works for the river, for the fish, and for local people and businesses along the river. We have seen how communities such as Augusta, Hallowell, and Gardiner have benefited from the removal of the Edwards Dam, and this removal has served as a global model for river restoration. The Penobscot River restoration has also benefitted Maine greatly.
One action you can take right now is to sign our petition to FERC, urging the Commission to find a solution that works for the river, the fish, and the people and businesses along the Kennebec.
FERC has the power to get everyone to the table to come up with a solution and should start that process now. FERC brought stakeholders together on other rivers like the Penobscot and Klamath to come up with big solutions. The Kennebec is also worthy of a big solution.
Mainers have led the movement to restore rivers because clean water and healthy fisheries are central to Maine’s economy and way of life.
We should seize this opportunity to provide future generations with a vibrant river that will support thriving fisheries, create new recreational opportunities, and grow economic development in riverfront communities.
— Nick Bennett, NRCM Staff Scientist and Healthy Waters Program Director
In favor of what you are doing.