KENNEBEC JOURNAL • May 22, 2024
Advocates said Wednesday that the local environment and economy would flourish if the upper Kennebec River watershed were given a chance to recover Testifying before federal officials at the Augusta Civic Center, the advocates said removing four dams between Waterville and Skowhegan — like removal of the Edwards Dam in Augusta on July 1, 1999 — would give the endangered Atlantic salmon their best chance to avoid extinction, and open access to outstanding spawning grounds in the Sandy River. Dozens of people testified in favor of removing the four dams, or at least upping the requirements that each of them have improved fish ladders or other ways of passage for fish, with screening to prevent fish from being killed by dam turbines. George Hofgren of Fairfield stood out as a voice opposed to removing the dams. He advocated for them to be relicensed