Federal energy regulators say endangered Atlantic salmon in the Kennebec River can be protected without removing four hydroelectric dams.

This came as a surprise to most conservationists.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reached the conclusion in a draft environmental assessment in the relicensing one of four dams owned by the Canada-based Brookfield Renewables.

Conservationists say the proclamation puts the agency at odds with the National Marine Fisheries Service.