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The Nature Conservancy Buys Four Maine Dams
The $168 million purchase will enable removal of dams blocking Atlantic salmon access to historic spawning grounds, restoring 825 miles of habitat, officials said.
- On Tuesday, The Nature Conservancy announced a $168 million deal with Brookfield Renewable to buy four lower Kennebec River dams: Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and Weston.
- Restoration advocates say reconnecting the Sandy River is essential to recovering endangered Atlantic salmon after decades of decline, while The Nature Conservancy plans to restore the Kennebec to free-flowing conditions.
- Operationally, Brookfield will continue operating the dams while a new nonprofit, Kennebec River Restoration Trust, manages transition and restoration funding, needing at least $140 million more.
- Sappi North America says removing the four dams would cut 46 megawatts and cost Waterville, Skowhegan, Winslow and Fairfield more than $500,000 annually, risking jobs at Skowhegan paper mill.
- Ecologically, past removals show river herring rose 228% after Edwards Dam and 1425% after Fort Halifax Dam; roughly 1,200 Atlantic salmon now return annually, with 825 miles of habitat to reopen.
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Rutland Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Historic sale of dams clears the way for salmon to return to the Kennebec River
AUGUSTA – The Nature Conservancy on Tuesday announced a landmark investment worth $168 million to purchase and oversee Brookfield Renewable’s four hydroelectric dams on the lower Kennebec River in Maine, paving the way for their eventual removal.
Kennebec River dams sale clears way for salmon to return
A deal announced Tuesday aims to pave the way for the removal of the Shawmut dam, located between Fairfield and Skowhegan, and three other dams on the lower Kennebec River. Photo by Garrick Hoffman.The Nature Conservancy on Tuesday announced a landmark $168 million deal with Brookfield Renewable to purchase the company’s four hydroelectric dams on the lower Kennebec River, paving the way for their eventual removal. The sale all but guarantees un…
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Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
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C 60%
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