NOAA says Kennebec dams improvement plan will benefit Atlantic salmon. Conservation groups disagree

MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2023

A coalition of local and national conservation groups is criticizing a new opinion from NOAA fisheries that finds endangered Atlantic salmon aren't jeopardized by four hydropower dams on the Kennebec River. NOAA said the operator of the dams, Brookfield Renewable, has an acceptable plan to make improvements that will benefit salmon and other species. "We absolutely cannot see how you can have four dams, 30 miles of impoundments, and still have Atlantic salmon in the Kennebec River," said John Burrows of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.