Unleashing the Flow: Dam Removal and Governance of Salmon Rivers in the State of Maine, USA

This chapter examines the paradigm shift in values and priorities that paved the way for the gradual acceptance of dam removal on Maine’s salmon rivers as of the 1990s. The changing perspective explored herein signifies a significant shift in the environmental consciousness of politicians, lawmakers, journalists, anglers, and the broader population of Maine. This evolution involves an increasing recognition of and preference for natural amenities over outdated historical hydroelectric infrastructures. Observing the decline of fish populations has profoundly impacted the public, fostering heightened awareness of the extensive degradation of river ecosystems beyond their sustainable capacity over the past century. This awareness has sparked a collective movement to restore fish habitats and cultivate a society and economy rooted in more environmentally friendly principles and values.