In 1999, S. D. Warren sought to renew federal licenses for five of its dams. It applied for water quality certifications from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, but it filed its application under protest, claiming that its dams did not result in any "discharge into" the river that would trigger the application of section 401.
In 1999, S. D. Warren attempted to restore federal permits for five of its dams. It requested water quality authorizations from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection but lodged an objection, arguing that its dams did not cause any "release into" the river that would necessitate applying section 401.