The Maine Monitor hosted a live discussion February 4 at the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport on the future of Maine’s dams, including the dams on Silver Lake, Alamoosook Lake, and Toddy Pond.
Maine Monitor environmental reporter Emmett Gartner spoke with James Woidt (a lead author of the dams chapter of 2024 Report Card on Maine’s Infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers), Susan Lessard (Bucksport town manager and Chair of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection) and Gina Bushong (a member of the Orland board of selectmen).
Throughout 2024, Emmett has reported on Maine’s dams in a series of in-depth stories that explored the future of Maine’s deteriorating dams as they face growing threats from climate change and fall out of favor for public investment.
His reporting clearly demonstrated that what happens with Maine’s remaining dams could have dramatic implications for both the state’s plans to move away from fossil fuels and for the communities that have been shaped by these structures for centuries.
With a number of federal licenses set to expire, and with smaller, state-regulated dams requiring immediate action to stay safe, Maine has a unique opportunity to influence the state’s network of dams.
As debates play out, the Wabanaki Nations, local communities, and environmental nonprofits are trying their best to leverage their influence to decide the dams’ futures.
This event was made possible with support from the Ezra James Briggs Family Fund at the Maine Community Foundation.
