Dam demolition

As Congress haggles over a proposal to remove Arizona's Glen Canyon Dam, igniting a nationwide debate on river restoration, a scrum of smaller but politically significant dams have found their way to the chopping block.

At the forefront is the effort to remove Edwards Dam in Augusta, Maine. Though the dam isn't nearly as big as Glen Canyon Dam-a longtime thorn in the side of environmentalists protected by the high amount of energy it generates and booming tourism in nearby Lake Powell-the Edwards battle has gone down as a victory.

Last November, after more than 10 years of lobbying, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled against renewing the dam's license and ordered its owner, Edwards Manufacturing Co., to pay all removal expenses. The decision which the company plans to appeal, followed last July's FERC recommendation that the 160-year-old hydroelectric relic be torn down to benefit the habitat and spawning potential of nine migratory fish native to the Kennebec River.

The debate between ecological preservation and energy needs continues with proposals to demolish two dams on Washington's Elwha River, Condit Dam on Washington's White Salmon River, a dam on Washington's Lower Snake, two dams on Wisconsin's Baraboo River, and Station 160 on New York's Genesee River A proposal to remove Mounds Dam on Wisconsin's Willow River has already been approved. .

Carrie Collins, communications director for American Rivers, attributes the removal trend to a more thorough review of the license-renewal process, which often reveals the cost to mitigate damage is higher than the value of power produced. More than 550 dams will come up for license renewal over the next 15 years.

Perhaps another encouraging trend is the FERC's recent proactive recommendation that Bangor Hydro-Electric Company not be granted a license to build the Basin Mills dam on Maine's lower Penobscot River, reasoning that the dam would pose serious threats to Atlantic salmon runs.

Some view the unprecedented support of FERC-which traditionally sides with utility interests-as a move in the right direction. Others keep hope in check.

"In a very real sense," reports Trout Unlimited writer John Dillon, "the fight has just begun."

Copyright Hearst Magazines Feb 1998
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