Speaker Series: A Once in a Lifetime Chance
Schedule
Tue, 28 Apr, 2026 at 06:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Topsham Public Library | Topsham, ME
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The Free the Andro Coalition is a citizen group dedicated to reestablishing river herring, shad, salmon, and other key migratory species that support both the ecosystem and local commercial and recreational fisheries, after two centuries of mistreatment and disregard. The ongoing relicensing of the Brunswick-Topsham dam’s hydro-power facility by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is a unique chance to set new standards for better fish passage. Chip Spies, the coalition founder, will outline how the upcoming FERC vote provides a once in a lifetime chance to begin restoring migratory fish populations on the Androscoggin River.Chip will discuss the history of fish passage, dam building and environmental impacts on the Androscoggin, as well as the need to find solutions through intervention in the application process to assure social and environmental impacts are considered alongside energy generation.
Speaker bio: Charles “Chip” Spies is the Founder and Coalition President for the Free the Andro Coalition, a conservation coalition advocating for changes to the Brunswick-Topsham Dam on the Androscoggin River.. He is a longtime resident of the Brunswick-Topsham area having lived here for 38 years and raised three children with his wife Bonnie.
Chip is focused on participating as a citizen and member of the coalition in the hydro-dam licensing process conducted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Chip and other citizens formed Free the Andro to create a voice for the migratory fish being impacted by the Brunswick-Topsham dam. The goal is to create unfettered passage for salmon, shad, river herring, eels and other species that must migrate between fresh and salt water to spaw
Registration encouraged but not required. This talk is part of our 2026 CREA Speaker Series meant to engage and educate the community about the natural world where we live! These talks encourage participants to better understand our connection to the land and the places we call home. Cathance River Education Alliance, a program of Brunswick Topsham Land Trust, is excited to host these talks in collaboration with the Topsham Public Library. Thank you to Bath Savings Trust Company for sponsoring this series!
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Where is it happening?
Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Rd,Topsham,ME,United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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