About Us
Building Trust on the River
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust is a nonprofit organization established to take ownership of the four lower dams on the Kennebec River – Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, and Weston – and manage the multi-year river restoration and redevelopment process in close collaboration with local communities.
The organization includes a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) subsidiary that will ensure the dams continue to operate safely, supply power to the grid, and provide tax revenue to municipalities while the restoration planning process takes place.
Our Mission & Values
To build enduring solutions that restore the ecological health of the Kennebec River and strengthen the region’s economic vitality
Our work is guided by four core values that shape how we engage communities, make decisions, and carry out our responsibilities throughout this effort.
Dedication for the long-term
We are committed to taking the time needed to develop solutions that will endure for the benefit of future generations of natural and human communities that depend on the Kennebec River.
Accountability for outcomes
We understand the stakes of this undertaking and will hold ourselves to the highest standards for the safe operation and decommissioning of the facilities and for a collaborative, science-based restoration process that supports the best possible outcomes for all.
Respect for history and for each other
We respect the long, rich history of the river and the people who have called it home from time immemorial through to the present day, and we will bring that respect to our work with everyone.
Transparency in decision-making
We believe in decision-making that engages and incorporates diverse perspectives and is communicated clearly and consistently.
Partnership Makes this Work Possible
Many partners are collaborating to make this restoration a success for the river and the region. The Nature Conservancy and the Atlantic Salmon Federation serve as lead partners to the Trust, with dedicated seats on the Trust’s Board of Directors.
We are also working closely and collaboratively with partners and organizations in communities along the Kennebec River, around the state, and across the country. They include riverside municipalities, businesses, Tribes, nonprofits, agencies, and many thoughtful and dedicated individuals who have been working for decades in pursuit of a healthy Kennebec River and a thriving Kennebec Valley.
Our Team
The Kennebec River Restoration Trust is led by a team with years of experience in conservation and restoration, community engagement, energy generation, and hydropower operation.
