Friends of Sebago Lake
Newsletter -- Spring, 2002
What's new with the Eel Weir Relicensing
In March, SAPPI submitted its application to FERC to relicense the Eel Weir
Dam. The document is very large, consisting of four volumes, each several
inches thick. One of the most interesting portions of the application is
the news that SAPPI's consultants found a wildflower growing along the shore
of Sebago Lake that has never been found before in the United States.
The report states: "One species that has never been documented within
the United States was identified as Nova Scotia flat-topped goldenrod (Euthamia
galetoram)." Interestingly, the species appears to prefer moist, sandy
beaches and the consultants stated that the plant probably benefits from
falling lake levels during the mid-summer and fall. FERC has yet to announce
that it has accepted the application as ready for environmental analysis.
At that time, the relicensing process will begin in earnest with all parties
receiving a deadline for providing initial comments, recommendations and
suggested terms and conditions for the dam.
FOSL survey of the Songo-Crooked River
The area of the Crooked River and Songo which is affected by the control
of the Sebago Lake water level appears to experience bank erosion beyond
that which would be expected for a meandering river. The river bottom
has become very weedy. It is obvious that a major habitat change has occurred
in the Songo and Crooked River. A FOSL contractor has taken about 75 pictures
to document the erosion. This erosion is occurring in archeological important
areas.
FOSL and the Presumpscot
FOSL's three years of effort on the relicensing of five Presumpscot dams
in Westbrook, Gorham and Windham is nearing its moment of truth. FERC is
expected to issue its final EIS and license conditions for the dams this
spring or summer. It is not known if FERC will reverse its position against
dam removal on the lower Presumpscot. FOSL and Friends of the Presumpscot
River and others have requested the removal of three dams at Saccarappa,
Mallison and Little Falls and fishways at the Gambo Falls and Dundee dams.
While FERC has agreed with FOSL and others that, at a minimum, fishways
are needed at the Presumpscot dams, FERC's complex proposal to determine
when fishways need to be built at each dam appears to be unworkable. U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service and others have strenuously objected to the
framework for fish passage on the Presumpscot as proposed by FERC.
If FERC orders dam removal or fish passage, it is likely that SAPPI will
legally challenge such orders, since the company has repeatedly said it
will not build fishways at any of its dams. This is in contrast to the company's
founders, the Warrens, who voluntarily built fishways at all their dams
on the Presumpscot at their own expense, including at the outlet of Sebago,
in the late 1800s.
SAPPI will probably also fight increased flows in the bypass reaches of
their dams (ie. between the dam spillway and the powerhouse). Water testing
by Presumpscot River Watch has shown that portions of the Presumpscot River
still fail to meet state water standards for dissolved oxygen. It appears
that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection may require additional
flows at the dams to provide more aeration and oxygen and to prevent the
dam impoundments from becoming stagnant.
Thankfully, FOSL is not alone in the effort to restore the once magnificent
Presumpscot River. Friends of the Presumpscot River, American Rivers, the
Sebago Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Maine Council of the Atlantic
Salmon Federation are all following this relicensing process closely and
providing critical information and comments to state and federal regulators.
FOSL's latest submission to FERC
Doug Watts wrote the FOSL response to the draft EIS for the Presumpscot.
This can be seen on the FERC RIMS site under docket ( p-2942) and on the
FOSL web site www.friendofsebago.org The Dept. of the Interior response
to FERC was critical of FERC. It is refreshing to see other government agencies
suggesting FERC is failing to uphold Federal law. The FOSL involvement
with the 5 dam relicensing on the Presumpscot is at an end. FERC's next
step is to produce the Final EIS.
FERC Presumpscot Ruling
FERC has ruled in their draft EIS that three dams on the Presumpscot will
stay. They have required SAPPI to eventually place fishways on the dams.
It is a complicated time table based on fish populations in the river.
To build and operate the fishways will render the dams uneconomically viable.
2 in 9 years.
Returning to the former lake level range This year is a 2 in 9 year lowering
of the lake. The lake did not reach 261 msl until November 24, 2001. SAPPI
kept the lake below 261.0 msl during most of the winter. On November 1,
2001 the level was 262.27. The press has covered the reduced level of
Sebago Lake as if it were unusual. The press has not mentioned that for
100 years before the 1980's the lake dropped 2 out of 3 years to 261 msl
or below on average. The difficulties of the marinas or Frye Island Ferry
is that engineering and planning did not take into account that Sebago
Lake has an 8 foot plus fluctuation range. The lake by May 8th exceeded
264.5 msl. The level had risen 4 feet since its lowest point. This 4 foot
rise occurred in spite of little snowpack and following a record drought.
FOSL submitted a letter to the Portland Press Herald in response to the
reported fears that Sebago Lake was in a crisis.
re: Sebago Lake water level
Dear Editor,
Facing the worst drought on record Sebago Lake businesses next to marginally
shallow water are seeking to blame all who prevent the stabilization of
the highest water levels. There is no water level crisis.
From 1884 to 1980, Sebago Lake elevations dropped during the year to the
same lower levels of this winter in 2 out of 3 years on average. Once or
twice a decade levels fell 2 feet below what we have seen this winter. After
the 1985 drought, the marina interests lobbied for and were granted higher
water which flooded and eroded beaches and shorelines of Sebago Lake. This
changed the management of Sebago Lake to a highly regulated lake. Finnish
lake studies and experts have known for decades that lake regulation adversely
impacts sport fishing, shoreline zones, and biodiversity along with a host
of other negative impacts .
Perhaps the Press should cover a 1989 Maine State Planning Office(SPO) study
that determined Sebago Lake was the only Maine lake to possess inland beaches
with outstanding ratings and that these beaches were of great economic value
to Maine. One beach at the Sebago Lake State Park was so outstanding and
rare that it was recommended for critical designation. The value of these
beaches was exchanged for more marina boat slips by keeping shallow zones
flooded through the summer. The only chance these beaches and shorelines
have to rebuild is lower levels. Much more information is available on the
website. <www.friendsofsebago.org>.
FOSL Bibliography
FOSL has completed a bibliography of studies relating to the adverse impacts
of water level regulation in northern lakes. A list of pertinent quotes
is included. These are available on the FOSL website. Categories include
aquatic macrophytes, fish, benthic macro invertebrates, shoreline erosion
and ecosystem alteration.
Off Limits
PWD is going to move the Boat Launch 2 miles north in Standish. The Sept.
11 attack was the final straw that brought PWD and the Town of Standish
together to relocate the boat launch. Because of the threat of terrorism
the U.S. government is pushing added security around water supplies. The
boat dock at Sebago Lake Station has existed for 170 years. An era has
ended.
Someone is reading our website
At the present rate of site visits the FOSL website should receive about
5,000 visits annually.
China Lake
FOSL has been actively helping a China Lake group in their efforts torestore
China Lake lake levels and natural fluctuations. Their story has many similarities
to FOSL's fight for environmentally sound lake level management. About
1970 the outflows of China Lake were reduced to keep reserves in times of
drought for dilution of Vassalboro sewerage releases in the outlet stream.
This ended the 4 ft. plus range that China Lake had enjoyed.
Within 5 years the lake began to decline in quality and it was not long
before for the lake crashed with annual algae blooms. Residents described
how eroding shorelines released clay plumes which spread across the lake
during wind events and adjacent lake wetlands were altered greatly, some
simply disappeared under the higher than natural water levels. The DEP has
consistently pointed the phosphorus finger at shorefront property owners
and watershed run-off. They ignore the shoreline erosion and wetland damage
caused by the catastrophic increase in the average water level.
We discovered the State passed a law in 1975 requiring Maine lakes under
DEP jurisdiction to be managed "as stable as possible". FOSL was
unaware that the DEP supported this environmentally egregious lake management
practice when the DEP was providing input to FERC for the 1997 Environmental
Impact Statement. The Maine DEP supports this type of lake management
in spite of the available knowledge of the adverse impacts of this management.
The DEP is fighting efforts to have a State hearing to review their lake
management.
The DEP and the Attorney Generals office supported a bill LD 1160, which
it seems was aimed at thwarting the efforts of the China Lake Petitioners
to have another lake level hearing, the Attorney Generals office also acts
as legal counsel for the DEP and the BEP at the hearings. The town of China
is actively supporting another lake level hearing. A superb website <www.depu.org>
describes the battle.
Thomas Pond near Sebago Lake has also fallen victim to DEP stabilized water
levels. Residents have complained to FOSL about shoreline erosion and
a rotting vegetation hydrogen sulfide smell in the outlet area.
Archaeology
FOSL is working on the Archeology aspect of the relicensing. Some locations
on Sebago Lake have 9,000 years of Native American habitation. The State
Park was a very key native American area.
Early fish history
FOSL has uncovered the greatest sources of fish history to date for the
1700's. Our primary source evidence confirms the existence of the fish connection
of Sebago-Long Lake and the ocean. The evidence relates how important an
unimpeded Presumpscot was to the early settlers as a primary source of
food. It refutes the Sappi stand that fish presence on the Presumpscot was
insignificant. SAPPI will do anything to oppose fishways. They have intervened
to attempt to stop the removal of Smelt Hill Dam.
Linda Ann Thompson Plewes 1949-2002
"Linda Ann Thompson Plewes of Alexandria, Virginia died on March 21,
2002, a devoted mother of Elizabeth, Margaret, Anne, and Lauren Plewes,
beloved daughter of Colonel Nelson Thompson and Margaret Thompson, cherished
sister of William Thompson of Thornton, Colorado, and Ann Mazerolle of Falmouth,
Maine, and Mary Howard of Woodbridge, Virginia. Linda was also dearly beloved
by her two nephews, four nieces and brothers-in-law. Instead of flowers
contributions can be sent to the Linda Thompson Plewes Memorial Fund, c/o
Woodley Hills Elementary School 8718, Old Mount Vernon Rd., Alexandria,
Virginia, 22308 ."
We are very saddened by the sudden loss of one of our charter members and
Sebago Lake neighbor . We will miss her visits to Sebago Lake , her unwavering
support and wonderful sense of humor about our 12 year fight to protect
Sebago Lake from adverse management. The Thompson family hopes to be on
Sebago by mid July. We look forward to their arrival.
The winter effort
Much time and energy has been spent on our cause this winter. Our role is
expanding because many groups and individuals are looking to FOSL to lead
the Eel Weir relicensing effort. We look forward to our annual meeting in
early August.Some of our work can be seen on our website.>www.friendsofsebago.org<
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