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
Edwards Dam and Kennebec Restoration
For more than a decade, NRCM and the Kennebec Coalition worked to open up the Kennebec River to sea-run fish past the Edwards Dam in Augusta. In a precedent-setting action, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decided that the ecological value of a free-flowing river was greater than the economic value of a dam. The Edwards Dam was removed on July 1, 1999.
Today, millions of alewives swim from the Atlantic Ocean up the Kennebec every spring in what is perhaps the largest alewife run on the eastern seaboard.
Conservationists Call on Brookfield to Protect Endangered Salmon as Spring Migration Begins
Kennebec Coalition and Conservation Law Foundation news release April 1, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – As juvenile Atlantic salmon begin their spring migration to and from the Gulf of Maine, conservation groups are calling on the owner of four Kennebec River dams to act to prevent illegal injuries and death to this critically endangered fish species. 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
50 Years of the Clean Water Act
Progress Made but Challenges Remain Clean water is central to Maine’s identity and vital for the future of our economy and way of life. We love our rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nation’s Clean Water Act, which has played a critical role in Read More
Environmental Groups Denounce Brookfield Renewable Partners for Engaging in “Greenwashing”
Kennebec Coalition news release November 15, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP) (TSX: BEP-UN) is “greenwashing” its hydropower assets in the state of Maine to profit from investors seeking environmentally and socially responsible enterprises, according to a coalition of groups fighting for the removal of four of the company’s antiquated dams on Read More
Groups Seek Injunction to Stop Brookfield Operations at Four Lower Kennebec Dams
Atlantic Salmon Federation | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Rivers | Natural Resources Council of Maine News release October 21, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – Conservation groups today asked a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction to immediately stop or curtail operations at four dams on the lower Kennebec River to protect endangered Atlantic salmon during Read More
Statement: Brookfield’s Lawsuit Against State of Maine is Frivolous
News release Below is a statement from the organizations of the Kennebec Coalition (Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Rivers, Trout Unlimited, Natural Resources Council of Maine) and the Conservation Law Foundation in response to the lawsuit filed by Brookfield on September 27th against the State of Maine: “Brookfield’s lawsuit against the State of Maine is frivolous. Read More
Brookfield Sued for Repeatedly Breaking the Law and Killing Endangered Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Salmon Federation | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Rivers | Natural Resources Council of Maine News release September 9, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — A lawsuit filed today seeks to stop the owner of four dams on Maine’s Kennebec River from violating federal law. Operations at the dams are killing endangered Atlantic salmon and other sea-run Read More
Fatal Flaws in Brookfield’s Proposal for the Kennebec
If we are to save endangered Atlantic salmon and restore healthy populations of other sea-run fish, it’s clear that removing four dams on the Kennebec between Waterville and Skowhegan must happen. The best available peer-reviewed science shows that all of the proposals for fish passage being made by the owner of the dams, Brookfield Renewable, Read More
