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Norridgewock officials seek river renderings after Nature Conservancy announces intent to buy four dams
Summary
Select board members said they are watching conditions tied to the Nature Conservancy’s announced plan to buy four dams and requested visual renderings showing how river stretches would look if dams were removed; staff will meet Conservancy representatives and report back this fall.
Norridgewock — Board member Lindsay told the select board that residents have raised concern about the Nature Conservancy’s announcement that it intends to purchase four dams in the area and asked staff to closely monitor conditions attached to the transaction.
“People are really concerned about the dam purchases and how that’s going to affect everything in the town,” Lindsay said. She said she had requested renderings showing what sections of the river might look like if a dam were removed and asked staff to seek that material from the Conservancy before the board’s next meeting.
The board said the conservancy’s purchase carries multiple conditions and that town staff would press for information tied to safety, water needs and any technical studies the Conservancy relies on. The board noted a meeting has been requested by Conservancy representatives; staff said a meeting would take place in the fall and the town manager planned to meet the Conservancy’s representative the following day to gather details.
The discussion did not include formal proposals or regulatory actions; members asked for visual context and technical information so the town can evaluate potential impacts. One board member referenced a widely circulated figure that the Conservancy is spending about $168 million on dam purchases in the region; the board described that number as part of the Conservancy’s broader program, not a local pricing detail.
The board did not vote on any action related to the purchase. Next steps are a staff meeting with Conservancy representatives and a report to the select board when renderings and technical information are available.
