AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine is stopping a plan to remove up to four dams from the Kennebec River because of concerns that the state doesn’t have the authority to go ahead with the proposal.
Brookfield Renewable Partners of Toronto owns the dams. The company sued the Maine Department of Marine Resources last week, the Bangor Daily News reported.
The marine resources department recently collected public comments on proposed state rules that would have strengthened fish passage requirements for dams on the river. Brookfield Renewable said it would be almost impossible to comply with the rules, and that would mean they would need to be removed. The company sued because it felt the state was overstepping its authority.
Marine resources commissioner Patrick Keliher told the paper that the state accidentally developed the plan under a law that doesn’t give it the authority it would need. He said the state still wants to restore fish populations and will pursue other avenues.
Maine rivers are critical to the survival of the few hundreds Atlantic salmon that still return to American rivers. Environmental groups have pushed for the removal of dams to help save the salmon.
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