9/13//24 JOINT STATEMENT 

5 TOWN DAM COMMITTEE 

(SILVER, ALAMOOSOOK, TODDY) 

Representatives from the 5 Town Dam Committee met at the Bucksport Town Office on  Wednesday 11thth to continue discussions on the status and impacts of the ongoing efforts of Bucksport Mill LLC/AIM to relinquish ownership of the  Silver Lake, Alamoosook, and Toddy dams.  DEP has reported that there has been no further communication from the Company to date.

On Thursday 9/12/24, The Bucksport Town Council approved a Dam Transfer, Abandonment, or Removal Ordinance.  This Ordinance does not replace the State statute but complements that process by focusing on safety and economic concerns not addressed in the State’s environmentally focused statute.  Also on 9/12/24, The Orland Select Board voted to submit a Moratorium Ordinance to the citizens for a town vote.  This moratorium will give the Town 180 days to develop an ordinance similar to the one just enacted by Bucksport.  The Town vote is scheduled for 6 PM  on 9/26/24 at the Orland Community Center. A copy of the Ordinance is available at the Orland Town Office. 

 

The Committee will be meeting with business and environmental organizations that are being enlisted to assist in developing a robust, fact-based analysis of the impacts of removing/releasing water from the dams

The  Committee will continue to meet to ensure that the five communities have a coordinated response to Bucksport Mill, LLC/AIM’s efforts to relinquish ownership of the dams.