A group trying to restore salmon and other sea-run fish on Maine's Penobscot River says it has raised $25 million and is moving forward with the purchase of three dams.

The Penobscot River Restoration Trust has an agreement to buy the dams from PPL Corp. and raised the money through public and private donations. Once the purchase is complete and the permits approved, the two lowermost dams -- Great Works and Veazie -- will be removed, according to the Penobscot River Restoration Trust. A fish bypass will be constructed around the Howland Dam, the next dam upriver.

PPL is expected to maintain virtually all of the energy it produces on the river by increasing power generation at other dams. The company also will enhance fish passage at additional dams.

The Trust intends to raise another $25 million to $30 million to pay for the removal of the dams and enhanced fish passage.