Clean, healthy waterways are vital to our day-to-day lives. They help ensure safe drinking water, suitable habitat for fish and other wildlife, and recreational opportunities that make Maine a special place to live, work, and visit. NRCM is working hard to protect and restore Maine’s lakes, rivers, and streams, now and for generations to come.
But Maine's waterways face huge challenges. For decades, paper companies and other mills along Maine's rivers have treated these great waterways as their own private dumping grounds. The pollution they discharge prevents our native fish from thriving and impairs the quality of life for the people who live in those communities.
Pollution is one issue, dams are another. Dams continue to choke waterways across the state. While some dams are strategically located to minimize damage to fisheries and generate significant amounts of renewable electricity, other dams are obsolete or destroy fisheries resources that are worth far more than the small amount of power they generate.
One such dam was the Edwards Dam. NRCM’s work with coalition partners to remove the Edwards Dam from the Kennebec has become a national model for success. Now, NRCM and our partners in the Penobscot River Restoration Trust are working to restore this vital watershed for the wildlife and people of Maine.
NRCM has served as the voice of Maine people by advocating for clean and healthy waterways. Find out more about the issues we work on and how you can get involved to ensure clean and healthy waters for Maine.
Support of LD 906, An Act to Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Water
Senator Carney, Representative Harnett, and Members of the Judiciary Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 906. For too long, the Read More
50 Years of the Clean Water Act
Progress Made but Challenges Remain Clean water is central to Maine’s identity and vital for the future of our economy and way of life. We love our rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nation’s Clean Water Act, which has played a critical role in Read More
Support of LD 1801, An Act To Modify Exemptions for Certain Storm Water Discharges to Class AA and SA Waters
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more that 25,000 members and supporters. I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in support Read More
Environmental Groups Denounce Brookfield Renewable Partners for Engaging in “Greenwashing”
Kennebec Coalition news release November 15, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP) (TSX: BEP-UN) is “greenwashing” its hydropower assets in the state of Maine to profit from investors seeking environmentally and socially responsible enterprises, according to a coalition of groups fighting for the removal of four of the company’s antiquated dams on Read More
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik Opposes Mining Activities in the Cobscook Bay Area
The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Tribe) stands in firm opposition to the efforts by Wolfden Resources (Wolfden), a Canadian mining company, to conduct metallic mining near Cobscook Bay and a precious underground aquifer in the Town of Pembroke. The Passamaquoddy People have relied upon the ecosystems and water sources threatened by Wolfden since time immemorial. Read More
Wolfden Withdraws Mining Application after Strong Rebuke from LUPC
In January 2020, Wolfden Resources, a Canadian company in massive debt and with no metal mining experience, submitted a rezoning petition to the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) for a metal mine at Pickett Mountain. Wolfden hopes to mine for zinc, lead, and copper on 528 acres near Mount Chase, not far from Baxter State Read More
Groups Seek Injunction to Stop Brookfield Operations at Four Lower Kennebec Dams
Atlantic Salmon Federation | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Rivers | Natural Resources Council of Maine News release October 21, 2021 (Augusta, ME) – Conservation groups today asked a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction to immediately stop or curtail operations at four dams on the lower Kennebec River to protect endangered Atlantic salmon during Read More
Statement: Brookfield’s Lawsuit Against State of Maine is Frivolous
News release Below is a statement from the organizations of the Kennebec Coalition (Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine Rivers, Trout Unlimited, Natural Resources Council of Maine) and the Conservation Law Foundation in response to the lawsuit filed by Brookfield on September 27th against the State of Maine: “Brookfield’s lawsuit against the State of Maine is frivolous. Read More
Brookfield Sued for Repeatedly Breaking the Law and Killing Endangered Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Salmon Federation | Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Rivers | Natural Resources Council of Maine News release September 9, 2021 (Augusta, ME) — A lawsuit filed today seeks to stop the owner of four dams on Maine’s Kennebec River from violating federal law. Operations at the dams are killing endangered Atlantic salmon and other sea-run Read More
Banner photo: Allagash Wilderness Waterway by Sam Horine
