It was with great pleasure that I read Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton’s commentary titled, “Potomac and Penobscot: Best conservation lesson” (BDN, Nov. 19) in which she noted, “the deal is a win for everyone involved.” That includes the power company, environmentalists, sportsmen, the Penobscot Indian Nation and “all the citizens of Maine [who will] benefit from a healthier river and a better quality of life while continuing to enjoy the hydroelectric power the river produces.”

The Penobscot River Restoration Project is an unprecedented project that represents a truly comprehensive effort to rebalance hydropower production with fisheries restoration and other ecological, social, and cultural values associated with a major river. Confronted with a unique set of issues and opportunities, people who could have chosen argue for another 20 years have instead proposed to work together to restore a great American river.

The support of Secretary Norton for the project and the hard work of those agencies under her auspices at the Department of the Interior, particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, should be applauded for their valuable role in getting us to the point where we are at today with the project. At the same time, the continued commitment of the Bush administration will be critical for this project to succeed.

Simply put, the proposed decommissioning of three dams on the Penobscot River represents the last, best chance for saving wild Atlantic salmon in the United States. However, to view this as just a salmon project would be a grave mistake. Certainly, in addition to salmon, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, American shad, alewives, blueback herring, American eels, rainbow smelt, striped bass, and tomcod will all benefit greatly from the project.

In turn, this tremendous nutrient influx from the oceans to the inner reaches of land will benefit many other animals in the Penobscot watershed including eagles, ospreys, herons, and fur-bearing mammals. The project restores the river’s historic connection to the sea, thus providing tremendous benefits to fish and wildlife throughout the Gulf of Maine.

A project that has the scope and magnitude of the Penobscot River Restoration Project, with the myriad benefits to the environment, industry, and local communities throughout the watershed will need broad local, state and federal support to be a success. In referring to the environment, Norton stated, “we need a new approach built on the premise that successful conservation is always partnership between the government and the people.” We are proud of the partnership that is developing on the Penobscot and we look forward to carrying out the challenge of restoring the river for the benefit of all citizens in Maine.

Andrew Goode, of Brunswick, is vice president of U.S. Programs with the Atlantic Salmon Federation.