West Branch of the Penobscot River

Number: 1985-15

 

WHEREAS, Great Northern Paper Company has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the construction of a dam on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, Penobscot County, Maine, for the generation of hydroelectric power, the project being known as the “Big A” Hydroelectric Project; and

WHEREAS, the West Branch of the Penobscot River, in its natural free-flowing state, provides easily accessible, outstanding recreational opportunities, including a riverine landlocked salmon fishery site unparalleled in the United States and the longest high quality white water boating season in the Eastern United States; and

WHEREAS, Ripogenus Gorge is a unique geologic feature of national significance, and has been found eligible for designation as a National Natural Landmark; and

WHEREAS, the West Branch of the Penobscot River, in its natural, free-flowing state, has been studied by the National Park Service and been found eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; and

WHEREAS, Great Northern Paper Company has thirteen storage dams and six power production dams on the Penobscot River that produce 705,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually, which electric power production has been generated for Great Northern Paper Company’s corporate benefit by the diversion of a public resource; and

WHEREAS, Great Northern Paper Company has a viable, low cost energy alternative in biomass to lower its energy costs; and

WHEREAS, the West Branch of the Penobscot River is a nationally significant resource and is currently considered the premier river preservation battle in the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 14-17, 1985, in Arlington, Virginia, declares that the West Branch of the Penobscot River has outstanding regional and national resource values that should be protected for the public’s enjoyment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation will work in full cooperation with conservation and sportsmen’s groups and small businesses in opposing Great Northern Paper Company’s destructive project.