PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY BY FEBRUARY 14TH to ensure that your input is included. Following is a brief summary of the issue, what's at stake, and work underway to find solutions. Also note the schedule of public input sessions below!
In early summer 2024, Bucksport Mill, LLC, and parent company AIM Demolition announced their intention to abandon the dams on Alamoosook Lake, Silver Lake, and Toddy Pond. Their petition to the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection was accepted on November 1, 2024, which began a period of consultation and review to determine whether any other party will assume ownership of the dams. If no third party steps up, Maine law requires DEP to issue an order to release the water impounded by the dams, dramatically reducing the water levels in these bodies of water.
While Orland has enacted a moratorium to delay transfer of dam ownership beyond the time frame identified in Maine law, the Towns of Orland, Penobscot, Surry and Blue Hill have formed a Committee to evaluate ownership options and to lay the groundwork for retaining the dams. The Committee has secured legal representation and organized bipartisan legislative support to consider the creation of a "quasi-municipal" entity to assume ownership of the dams (similar to a school district or public utility district). Language for such a bill must be developed by the end of February. After the bill is enacted, each town would still need to vote on whether or not to create the new entity. This process is a proactive step if it turns out that no State agency or other entity steps in to take ownership of the dams (such as Maine Inland Fish & Wildlife or the Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry). This effort only applies to Alamoosook and Toddy because Silver Lake is facing a very different situation requiring a different solution.
Because this will need voter approval (and only voters in the 4 towns will have a say), the Select Boards of each town are seeking citizen input to help the towns design the bill. This survey is one step. There will also be public meetings held in February. We need to hear from you!
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY TODAY AND ATTEND THE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION FOR YOUR TOWN. ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD FROM 6-7:30pm:
Orland - Feb 5th, Alamoosook Lakeside Inn, 229 Soper Rd.
Surry - Feb 10th, Surry Elementary School Gymnasium, 754 N. Bend Rd.
Blue Hill - Feb 12th, Town Hall Auditorium, 18 Union St.
Penobscot - Feb 13th, Penobscot Community School, 66 N. Penobscot Rd.