Settler industrialists saw Maine as a resource-rich landscape with unending supplies of trees, granite, animals, and fish. There were approximately 119 dams constructed to support the lumber and paper industries on the Penobscot River that blocked fish migrations and other animals from using the water.

Mills also polluted the water, compromising the animals and humans living along the rivers. Starting in 2004, The Penobscot River Restoration Project opened up 2,000 miles of rivers and streams to sea-run fish through dam removals and fish passageways, while increasing hydropower generation.