Augusta, ME – A coalition of conservation and fishing groups is hailing an agreement between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Canadian power company Brookfield Renewable that sets the stage for the decommissioning and removal of four dams that are barriers to fish passage on the lower Kennebec River in Maine. Removing the Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, Read More
Edwards Dam
September 17, 2024: Paddle the Kennebec River with NRCM!
Kennebec Paddle with NRCM! Tuesday, September 17, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. NRCM staff led an 8-mile paddle on the Kennebec River from Sidney to Augusta. There was a Registered Maine Guide, Richard Behr, accompanying us on this paddling trip, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Edwards Dam removal. On this trip guests learned more about Read More
Mainers Urge Collaborative Solution for Future of Kennebec and Salmon
May 21, 2024 (Waterville/Augusta, ME) — Thousands of Mainers who care about the fate of Maine’s Kennebec River are urging federal officials to consider survival of sea-run fish, including critically endangered Atlantic salmon, as licensing actions for the river’s lowermost four dams are underway. More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a Read More
Celebrating Maine’s Clean Water Champions
Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act Remarks by Pete Didisheim, NRCM Interim CEO, at a Clean Water Act event on September 29th in Lewiston, Maine, along the banks of the Androscoggin River Greetings and welcome to this celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. We are now at the Read More
The Path to Restoring Maine’s Kennebec River
Today, the future of the Kennebec River is at a turning point. Maine can continue the highly successful restoration of the river that has taken place over the past 20 years and help save Atlantic salmon from becoming extinct. We can improve the health of the river and enhance communities along the Kennebec. Doing so, however, will Read More
Opposition to LD 1979
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and members of the ENR Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in strong opposition to LD 1979. This primary purpose of this Read More
Brookfield Faces Lawsuit for Violations of Endangered Species Act on Kennebec River
May 13, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — Three conservation groups have announced they intend to sue the international energy giant Brookfield Renewable Partners (Brookfield) for repeated violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on Maine’s Kennebec River. Brookfield’s four dams located between Waterville and Skowhegan are threatening the survival of endangered Atlantic salmon, according to a Read More
Mainers Call for Removal of Dams to Restore a Healthy Kennebec & Save Salmon
Kennebec Coalition News Release Augusta, ME (March 11, 2021) – Endangered Atlantic salmon are on the brink of dying out in Maine’s Kennebec River because of four antiquated dams between Waterville and Skowhegan, according to state and federal officials. A broad coalition of Maine people and organizations are speaking out in support of removing the Read More
20 Years Ago, Edwards Dam Removal Sparked a Movement for Free-flowing Rivers
NRCM Announces Plans for an Educational Display at the Dam Site NRCM news release July 1, 2019 (Augusta, ME) – Alewives, Bald Eagles, and other wildlife continue their inspirational return to the Kennebec River and its tributaries, 20 years after the Edwards Dam was removed here along the banks of Maine’s capital city. The dam’s Read More
