In what might be seen as a monumental agreement between a power generating company and local conservation groups, the possibility that three dams along the Penobscot River being removed may become reality.

John Richardson, writer for the Kennebec Journal in Maine, has an article today about the milestone agreement. His story has the details and also provides for reader comment of which there is already controversy surrounding the agreement.

If the removal of the dams happen, this would open up nearly 500 miles of river for Atlantic run salmon to spawn as well as other sea run fish species. This is one of the goals of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust. Purchasing the dams and demolishing them will have to be done through private fundraising and any matching federal monies that might be available. The total cost of the project has been estimated at nearly $60 million.

Some feel that the removal of some of the dams and not all isn’t enough. At a time when Americans are strapped with the dependancy on foreign oil for gasoline and power sources, one would think that hydro power would be a source of clean inexpensive power.

Not everyone thinks the dams should be removed and some even think that all the dams should come down. John Glowa of South China, Maine, is one such individual. As I recall, Glowa was a very outspoken supporter of the Baxter land swap debacle. Many, myself included, thought that one thing that made the deal stink was the secret negotiations that went on without any public input whatsoever. Ironically, this is what Glowa had to say about the news in a comment left at the Kennebec Journal.

John Glowa of South China, ME
Jun 1, 2006 8:12 AM
The agreement to remove some dams while expanding others was a backroom secret deal with the devil with no opportunity for public participation or scrutiny. There is no guarantee that this plan will succeed. Return the Penobscot to its natural state and tear down all of the dams. Replace them with new technology such as instream turbines that do not require dams. Doing so will make the river and Maine shining examples of the true conservation ethic. It will also grow Maine’s natural resource based economy by attracting outdoors enthusiasts, consumptive and nonconsumptive alike, to a re-born river.

I reserve further comment on this issue until I have had a chance to further learn about the entire aspects of the agreement. Please leave suggestions, ideas and comments in the comments section below. If you have more information on this deal, I invite you to share them with us.

Tom Remington