SOMERSET, Maine — The Nature Conservancy made a huge acquisition, finalizing a purchase and sale agreement with Brookfield Renewable Partners to take ownership of four dams in Maine.

TNC purchased Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Weston, and Shawmut dams with plans to restore the natural free flow of water from many of Maine's rivers into the ocean by decommissioning and removing the dams.

TNC representatives said they're also considering other efforts to ensure that communities in the region benefit both economically and ecologically from the restoration process.

The organization's deputy state director, Alex Mas, said this is an opportunity to renew the rivers, adding that dams block the natural migration of fish species on Maine's rivers.

"Maine's rivers supported a dozen different fish sp

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