by Murray Carpenter New York Times news story WASHINGTON COUNTY, Me. – Ernie Atkinson waded up Old Stream on a warm fall afternoon, peering through polarized sunglasses to scan the streambed. Before long, he pointed out a place where the bottom looked different. “You can see how the gravel is a lot cleaner right here–it Read More
Penobscot River
Removing Dams in Maine
by Bobby Bascomb Living on Earth story An unusual collaboration has led to a deal that will remove two dams on the largest river in Maine. As Living on Earth’s Bobby Bascomb reports, the Penobscot River dam removals will not only benefit native fish, but also the hydroelectric utility. GELLERMAN: Over the past decade, more Read More
Orono, Stillwater Dam Upgrades to Fill Energy Gap Left by Removal of Other Dams
By Nick McCrea, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Two dams have received approval to boost their energy capacity and fill the gap left when three other Penobscot River dams are demolished or decommissioned over the next two to three years. The Department of Environmental Protection cleared Black Bear Hydro Partners LLC, the company Read More
Historic River Reclamation Impacts All of New England
Dave Sartwell Gloucester Times news story The Penobscot River in Maine is on the verge of an historic reclamation. The Lower Penobscot River Restoration Project has cleared what at first seemed insurmountable opposition to removing dams and restoring the natural flow of the river. Although the implementation will take several years, all of the agreements Read More
Restoring the Penobscot
Maine is getting a chance to prove it’s possible to make clean energy and restore sea-run fish access to rivers. By Tom Bell, State House Writer Maine Sunday Telegram news story GREENBUSH – Ian Kiraly gently nudges the bow of an alien-like vessel along the banks of the Penobscot River. The electro boat, with its Read More
Salmon’s Return Means Much to Tribe
By Tom Bell, State House Writer Maine Sunday Telegram news story INDIAN ISLAND – In 1835, when the new dam at Veazie was closed in the winter, blocking all fish passage, the Penobscot Indians protested that the dam would destroy the annual runs of salmon and other sea-run fish. Their complaints went unheeded, even when Read More
Alewives Spark Legal Debate
By Nick Bennett, NRCM Staff Scientist Maine Lobsterman’s Association newsletter August 2011 guest column More than two years ago, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association joined the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Rivers and nearly 50 other conservation, sporting, and commercial fishing groups in petitioning the International Joint Commission (IJC) to reopen Read More
Landmark Purchase of Dams Opens New Chapter for Penobscot River Fisheries
Penobscot River Restoration Trust purchases three dams from PPL Corp. News release Old Town, ME: A new chapter begins for Maine’s Penobscot River with the Penobscot River Restoration Trust taking ownership of the Veazie, Great Works, and Howland Dams. This $24 million purchase from PPL is a monumental accomplishment for the historic Penobscot River Restoration Read More
Penobscot River Dam Removal, Fish Restoration Project Approved
by Kevin Miller Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — State environmental regulators on Wednesday approved the final of three permits sought as part of a historic dam removal and fish habitat restoration project on the Penobscot River. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection signed off on the Penobscot River Restoration Trust’s proposal to Read More
