Oct 21, 2021

Conservation groups ask judge to stop dams’ operations on Kennebec River

The preliminary injunction filed in federal court is part of a larger lawsuit the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Conservation Law Foundation, Maine Rivers and Natural Resources Council of Maine are pursuing against Brookfield Renewable for allegedly violating the federal Endangered Species Act.

Oct 04, 2021

CLF Intervenes in Right Whale Lawsuit

“There is a limited window of time to save critically endangered right whales,” said CLF Senior Attorney Erica Fuller. “Closing certain areas to fishing when high numbers of right whales are present is the most effective way to reduce risk. While NOAA’s final rule has not gone nearly far enough to recover the species, this new closure will reduce the chance that whales become entangled in lobster gear in the Gulf of Maine. The Union’s lawsuit seeks to prevent the government from implementing one of the few proven measures and we cannot stand by and let that happen.”

A right whale adult and calf near the water's surface
Sep 09, 2021

Brookfield Sued For Repeatedly Breaking the Law and Killing Endangered Atlantic Salmon

“Maine can achieve a healthy Kennebec River that supports expanding fish populations and meets the needs of riverfront communities, including the continued operation of the SAPPI paper mill in Skowhegan. This future is only possible if Brookfield stops violating the law and starts to play a constructive role in solving the problems its four dams cause. Instead, the company is spreading fear and misinformation and violating one of America’s landmark environmental laws.”

A dam in Skowhegan, ME on the Kennebec River. Robby Virus via Flikr
Sep 09, 2021

Environmentalists sue Kennebec dams’ owner, alleging endangered species violations

“Maine can achieve a healthy Kennebec River that supports expanding fish populations and meets the needs of riverfront communities,” the environmental groups said in a joint statement. But such a future would be possible only if Brookfield agreed to work constructively with the state on how to fix fish passage issues, they said.