PORTLAND, Maine - A federal judge has ruled against efforts by Maine environmental groups to introduce more protection for endangered Atlantic salmon and American shad at four hydro-electric dams on the Kennebec River.
Taryn Hallweaver is with Environment Maine, one of two plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Brookfield Asset Management, which operates the dams.
Under the terms of the Clean Water Act, she says the company should be obliged to take action to protect the fish, many of which are killed by the turbine blades.
"We're disappointed by the decision," Hallweaver says, "and believe we should be doing all we can to protect endangered Atlantic salmon and American shad or we really risk losing these fish forever."
U.S. District Court Judge George Singal threw out the lawsuit in an opinion issued on Thursday, effectively saying that Brookfield's efforts to provide alternative fish passage mean the turbines can continue running as usual.