#watervilleme — Public Fediverse posts

4 Dams Set for Removal in #Maine Will Open Hundreds of Miles of #River for #Salmon, #Herring and #Sturgeon

By Andy Corbley, Oct 15, 2025

"In Maine, ownership of 4 large dams has been transferred to #TheNatureConservancy in a sale it hopes will return the river they operate on into prime habitat for salmon for the first time in a century.

"Operated by #BrookfieldRenewables, the dams along the lower #KennebecRiver prevent ocean going, freshwater fish like salmon from accessing #AncestralSpawningGrounds upriver.

"On September 15th, 2025, The Nature Conservancy (#TNC) and #Brookfield signed a purchase and sale agreement for the four dams totaling $138 million.

"The Kennebec River is fed by #SandyRiver in the heart of Maine before running down to the #GulfOfMaine past the towns of #SkowheganME and #WatervilleME. The Weston, Shawmut, #HydroKennebec, and Lockwood dams are located in intervals along this stretch, called the #LowerKennebec.

"The federal regulatory process for decommissioning a dam, as seen in the recent parallel in #California, where four dams were removed to make way for salmon, needed more than 5 years from start to finish. As a result, TNC will look to gather another $30 million in funding to create a nonprofit that will manage and oversee the decommissioning process, during which the dams could continue to generate power for 5 to 10 years.

"That would include working with Sappi North America, whose Somerset Mill, located between the town of Skowhegan and the #ShawmutDam, to find a solution to the company’s long-term water needs, which are currently met by this dam.

"Their twin goals in the decommissioning project are to return free-flowing conditions to the lower Kennebec River to support regionally-#endangered #NorthAtlanticSalmon, while doing so in collaboration with existing stakeholders in the dams’ activities, Sappi included.

" 'TNC and its partners are 100% committed to developing a solution with Sappi that fully addresses the Somerset Mill’s long-term water system needs,' the organization wrote in a statement. 'We understand the vital role of the Somerset Mill for the forest products industry and the state’s economy.'

"#AtlanticSalmon are considered near-threatened worldwide, but certain stocks in the North Atlantic have almost completely disappeared. Access to Sandy River via the lower Kennebec would open up hundreds of miles of prime habitat for spawning and coming of age.

"Brookfield maintains dams higher up the river, but these areas are considered to be of poor habitat quality. Those dams also happen to produce substantially more electricity than the dams along the lower stretch of the river—those set to be removed.

"The Maine Monitor reports that fishing advocacy groups have argued for the dam’s removal for 'decades.' #RiverHerring [#Alewives], the federally-protected #AtlanticSturgeon, and #AmericanEel all rely on Maine’s freshwater rivers to either spawn or feed before swimming out to sea.

"The current predicament finds around one-twelfth of the historic spawning population of Atlantic salmon returning to the Kennebec via the gulf, where they’re captured at #LockwoodDam and actually trucked up the roads past the next three dams to spawn. During the reverse journey many do not survive the journey to the gulf past the industrial infrastructure.

"The removal of the #KlamathRiver dams this time last year produced incredible results immediately, with fish finding their way back upstream far past the farthest dam to spawn within a single season, proving that ancestral instincts can remain intact despite generations of fish not being able to act on them.

"But examples also lie closer to home, with dams removed years past along another Maine river, the #PenobscotRiver, resulting in long-term economic and environmental improvements."

Source:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/4-dams-set-for-removal-in-maine-will-open-hundreds-of-miles-of-river-for-salmon-herring-and-sturgeon/

#SolarPunkSunday #DamRemoval #Maine #EndangeredSpecies #WaterIsLife

#Maine events so far, via #PineTreeActivism! -

#NationalWeekendOfAction #ICEOutForGood

Sat-Sun Jan 10-11

"On Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, an American citizen was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This killing is part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence, impunity, and abuse carried out by federal immigration enforcement agencies against members of our communities.

On this National Weekend of Action we stand to demand accountability, honor the life lost, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions."

Official as listed ICE OUT FOR GOOD events in Maine.
Many weekly events may be themed for ICE OUT, as well.
UPDATED Jan 9, 6:30PM

SATURDAY, Jan 10

#AuburnME: 12-1pm - Longley Bridge, Court St
#AugustaME: 12-2pm - Memorial Circle, Memorial & State Sts
#BangorME: 11am-12pm – Peirce Park, 125 Harlow St
#BathME: 10-11am - Sagadahoc Bridge, 700 Washington St
#BelfastME: 12-1pm - Post Office Square, Church & Main Sts
#BridgtonME: - 5-6pm - Shorey Park, Main St,
#EllsworthME: 12-1pm – 175 High St
#KennebunkME: 1-2pm – Sidewalk in front of 112 Main St
#MachiasME: 12-1pm - 16 O'Brien Ave, bottom of College Hill
#NewcastleME: 12-1pm – #DamariscottaME-Newcastle Bridge, Newcastle
#OxfordHills: 10am-12pm - Fair St, Norway & Main St, #SouthParisME
#PortlandME: 11am-12pm – Monument Square, 456 Congress St
#PresqueIsle: 12noon – Sen Angus King office, 169 Academy St
#SacoME: 10-11am - Transportation Center, 138 Main St
#SouthPortland: 11am-12pm - Erskine Park, 632 Broadway
#WayneME: 10-11am – Bridge on Rt 133, Main St
#WellsME: 1-2pm - Wells Police Department, 1563 Post Rd
#YarmouthME: 9-10:am – Town Hall, 200 Main St

SUNDAY Jan 11
#WatervilleME: 1-2pm – Bridge by CVS, 1 Kennedy Mem'l Drive

Source:
https://bsky.app/profile/pinetreeactivism.org/post/3mbzola2d422i

#ICEOutForGood #JusticeForRenee #MainePol #Resist #MaineResists #MaineEvents

#MaineVoicesForPalestinianRights

"We are a group of people from #Maine and beyond who stand in solidarity with the #Palestinian people and seek to amplify their movement of liberation from occupation and #apartheid."

Recurring Standouts & Mini-Rallies

#BangorME
Wednesday - 12PM Noon
6 State St (Kenduskeag Bridge)

#BelfastME
Sunday - 12PM Noon
Post Office Square

#BlueHillME
Saturday - 12PM Noon
Blue Hill Town Hall

#BrunswickME
Thursday - 12PM Noon
Maine St (at Tontine Mall)

#BrunswickME
Friday - 5PM
Maine Street (by Walgreens)

#BucksportME
Saturday - 12:30PM
Bucksport-Verona Bridge

#CamdenME
Friday - 5PM
Camden Village Green

#DoverFoxcroftME
Saturday - 9AM
Main Street Bridge

#EllsworthME
Sunday - 12PM Noon
Union River Bridge

#FarmingtonME
Saturday - 11AM
Post Office

#HoultonME
Friday - 1PM
Peace Pole

#NewcastleME
Thursday - 3PM
Veterans Park

#PortlandME
Saturday - 12PM Noon
Post Office Park

#RocklandME
2nd + 4th Thursdays - 3PM
Main St & Park St

#SacoME
First Friday, Monthly - 2:30PM
General Dynamics

#WatervilleME
Monday - 11:30AM
Main St & Temple St

https://www.mvprights.org/events#block-a15fa12ef4b264f29ded

#FreeGaza #EndGenocide #HumanRights #Maine #MaineResists
#MaineEvents #FreePalestine
#MaineVoicesForPeace #ResistAuthoritarianism
#ResistFascism #USPol #WorldPol #FreePalestine #Gaza #WorldWarBibi
#BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #MaineCoalitionForPalestine #MaineVoicesForPeace #PeaceActionMaine #MaineDSA #JVP
#Palestine #NoWar #PeaceWorks
#HumanRightsAreNeverWrong

#Maine #CoolingCenters: Find a spot near you

As temperatures rise, communities across Maine open cooling centers to keep residents safe from the elements.
Author: NEWS CENTER Maine Staff
Published: 12:49 PM EDT June 22, 2025
Updated: 3:22 PM EDT June 23, 2025

AUGUSTA, Maine — "Summer has arrived in Maine, bringing rising temperatures and longer days. But when the heat becomes dangerous or oppressive, community cooling centers help support those who need an escape from the heat and humidity.

"The centers are often located in public spaces, such as recreation centers or libraries. They typically open for short-term purposes.

"While the primary purpose is to save lives by getting people out of potentially dangerous heat conditions, cooling centers may also provide charging stations, showers, or food.

"The latest listings for cooling centers are on the Maine Emergency Management Agency's [#MEMA] website. We've included a roundup here as well as additional resources to help you stay safe this summer when temperatures rise.

Androscoggin County

#AuburnME

Community Resource Center
121 Mill St.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or later) Tuesday, June 24
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

Auburn

Auburn Senior Community Center
48 Pettengill Park Road
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Auburn

Hasty Gymnasium at Auburn Recreation
48 Pettengill Park Road
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June

Auburn

Auburn Public Library
49 Spring St.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#DurhamME

Durham Eureka Community Center
606 Hallowell Road
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LisbonME

Lisbon Police Department
300 Lisbon St.
Open as needed 24/7

#PolandME

A.B. Ricker Memorial Library
1211 Maine St.
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, June 25-26
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27

#TurnerME

Turner Fire & Rescue
19 General Turner Hill Road
Available as needed

Aroostook County

#CaribouME

Caribou Wellness Center
55 Bennett Drive
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cumberland County

#BridgtonME

Bridgton Community Center
15 Depot St.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#GorhamME

Baxter Library
71 South St.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#PortlandME

#PortlandPublicLibrary
5 Monument Square
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#ScarboroughME

#ScarboroughPublicLibrary
48 Gorham Road
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Kennebec County

#AugustaME

Augusta Civic Center, Cumberland Room
76 Community Drive
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#WatervilleME

Waterville City Hall Annex
46 Front St.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Knox County

#RocklandME

#RocklandPublicLibrary
Rockland City Hall
Flanagan Community Center
Open during "normal business hours"

#SouthThomaston

Public Library (former Gilford Butler School)
54 Spruce Head Road
Noon to 4 p.m. Monday, June 23
Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#UnionME

Union Town Office
567 Common Road
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

Lincoln County

#BoothbayHarborME

Boothbay Harbor Town Office
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 25

#DamariscottaME

Central Lincoln County YMCA
575 Maine St.
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 23-27

#NewcastleME

Newcastle Fire Station Community Room
86 River Road
Closes at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23

Oxford County

#CantonME

Town of Canton Meeting Room
94 Turner Street
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
8 a.m. to noon Tuesday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday
8 a.m. to noon Friday

Piscataquis County

#DoverFoxcroftME

Dover-Foxcroft Town Office, Community Room
48 Norton Avenue
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

Sagadahoc County

#TopshamME

Topsham Municipal Building, Russel Room
100 Main St.
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

York County

#AlfredME

Parsonsfield Town Office
634 North Road
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, June 24-25

#BerwickME

Berwick Fire Department
3 Public Safety Way
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#BiddefordME

#McArthurLibrary
270 Main St.
9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#BuxtonME

Buxton Town Office
185 Portland Road
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#KennebunkME

Kennebunk Free Library
112 Main St.
9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#KennebunkportME

Church on the Cape
3 Langsford Road
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

Kennebunkport

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library
18 Maine St.
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LebanonME

North Lebanon Second Baptist Church
259 Bakers Grant Road
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

#LimingtonME

Limington Municipal Complex
425 Sokokis Ave.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

#NorthBerwickME

D.A. Hurd Library
51 High St.
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 23
1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

#SacoME

Saco Community Center
75 Franklin St.
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#WaterboroME

Waterboro Town Hall
24 Townhouse Road
Noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

Waterboro

#WaterboroPublicLibrary
187 Main St.
Noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24

#YorkME

York Public Library
15 Long Sands Road
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25

#HomelessShelters

"State and local resources are available for people who are experiencing homelessness or are in need of housing or heating support. Link below for more information.

"For direct assistance to find resources available near you, dial 211 or call 1-877-463-6207; text your ZIP code to 898-211; or email [email protected].
What are the risks?

"According to the Maine Emergency Management Agency, heat-related illnesses in the state more often occur when temperatures reach the mid-80s or higher.

“Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person's body temperature rises faster "

Source:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/cooling-centers-heat-stroke-exhaustion-mema-emergency-short-term-shelter/97-d2ddaac2-bbea-4dc8-833f-c78e7dc788f4

MEMA list of Cooling Centers:
https://www.maine.gov/mema/response-recovery/mass-care

Emergency shelters for the #Unhoused:
https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/emergency-shelters

#MEWx #ExtremeHeat #MaineWx #ClimateChange #GlobalHeating #Heatwave #Heatwaves #StayingCool #MaineClimateDiary #ClimateDiary
#Heatwave #Heatwaves #Maine #CoolingCenters #StayCool #CommunityResources