5 Town Dam Committee: Representatives from the 5 Town Dam Committee met at the Bucksport Town Office on Wednesday, December 18th to discuss new developments regarding Bucksport Mill LLC’s petition to abandon the Toddy, Alamoosook, and Silver Lake dams.     Outreach Enhancements  The group discussed enhanced efforts to increase public awareness of the status of the dams and to encourage citizens to contribute to funding the costs incurred by the 5 Towns for legal representation in our discussions with the current dam owner.  In addition to the current effort to distribute our bi-weekly statement via print media,  email, website posts, and Facebook page postings the group is looking for additional avenues to engage with citizens.    Ownership Models It is recognized that the Silver Lake dam is very unique in that it is a public water supply and also provides cooling water for an electricity generating plant.  Its future most likely will follow a different path from that of the Alamoosook and Toddy dams.     The four towns abutting Alamoosook Lake and Toddy Pond believe the State of Maine should conclude that there is sufficient justification (regional recreational value; important fish, bird, and other wildlife habitat) for the state to assume ownership of the dams. However, the towns also believe that developing an alternative ownership contingency plan is prudent given the uncertainties and time frames involved. Thus the four towns associated with Alamoosook and Toddy have been working with our local legislators to have special bipartisan legislation introduced in the state legislature that would create waterfront protection districts that would have the authority to 1) own and operate the dam creating the relevant body of water (Alamoosook and Toddy) 2) assess special taxes/fees on property owners fronting the respective water body and those with deeded access, and 3) potentially incorporate a provision for mandatory contributions by abutting municipalities to defray a portion of the dam ownership costs.   There are numerous local water districts formed by similar legislation that provide potable water within the defined district area, charging water rates to users in order to generate funds for operating and capital costs.   Although these districts are not the preferred outcome, the four towns believe that, if successfully formed, they would provide a long-term solution to maintaining the dams and the lake/pond water levels, since the taxing authority would provide a relatively certain, stable source of funds for operations. Private ownership of the dams exposes both the property owners and the municipalities to a variety of risks, such as inadequate funding, a new petition to abandon the dam, bankruptcy, and lack of representation/control by the property owners.   While creating this entity can be done via legislation at the state level, Implementation of this effort would be completely subject to municipal voter approval.  The group will seek public input on the details of the design and will be gauging the public support for such an entity.     Legislative Support Steve Bishop - HD 17 Representative, and David Haggan Senate District 10 along with HD- 36 Representative Kim Haggan attended the meeting.  All three pledged support for the bipartisan legislation and offered their assistance in working with DEP to gain support for the Towns.    

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Posted on , by Clerk

5 Town Dam Committee

11/20/24 JOINT STATEMENT 

5 TOWN DAM COMMITTEE 

(SILVER, ALAMOOSOOK, TODDY) 

Representatives from the 5 Town Dam Committee met at the Bucksport Town Office on Wednesday, November 20th to discuss the public meeting held on 11/14/24 in connection with the petition filed by Bucksport  Mill LLC seeking to relinquish ownership of the  Silver Lake, Alamoosook, and Toddy dams.  

The resounding reaction was that the meeting was no more than a frustration to all who attended.  Simply giving folks 3 minutes to ask a question and providing no responses was not an effective way to consult with the public as required by law.  Answers to the questions are expected to be posted on the website https://bucksportmillanswers.com 

The meeting last week did not constitute consultation with the Towns. Each of the 5 municipalities is required by statute to hold a town meeting to consider ownership of the dams.  This vote will only indicate the towns’ interest in pursuing the due diligence necessary for making an ownership decision in the future.  The meetings are scheduled as follows:

  • Blue Hill – November 25th,  5:30 PM, Select Board Room
  • Surry – December 3rd, 7 PM Select Board Room
  • Penobscot – December 7th, 1 PM
  • Bucksport – December 12th, Town Council Chambers
  • Orland – December 13th, 6 PM, Orland Community Center

The Towns through their attorneys have submitted an extensive list of questions to Bucksport Mill LLC.  We have received a response that indicates that the company will consult with the towns after our Town meetings have concluded.

Nearly ¾ of the questions at last week’s meeting were actually relevant to DEP which was not represented.  The questions were about the process and decision criteria that will govern the State review.  The Committee agreed to request a meeting with DEP to discuss these issues. 

Fundraising for legal expenses remains a significant issue.  As a reminder, Orland, Penobscot, Surry, and Blue Hill have secured joint legal representation with the Portland firm Norman Hanson & Detroy.  We are working hard to prevent the current dam owners from walking away from the dams with no repercussions.  If you can contribute, please send a check to the Town that represents you.  Your help is greatly appreciated.