The idea of removing Montgomery Dam is a pretty big question, and immediately raises very reasonable questions about financial impacts, there, and all the way up the river. Removal opens a figurative can of worms as other dams are evaluated as well.

In fact, it was financial impacts that raised the question in Select Board discussions in the first place, in 2018. The Dam, originally built in 1791, has of course required multiple repairs through the centuries. The time for another repair has come around again, raising the question once again. Costs go up; the bills have repeatedly been paid by property taxpayers. The question is: Does it make sense to keep the dam in place? 

The considerations are varied and numerous:  Money, yes, but also, of course, aesthetics and sentiment; honoring and evaluating the importance of retaining historical remnants; Town staff efforts at managing flow and water levels, especially in times of flood; the increased flooding and damage due to climate change that we have repeatedly seen in recent years and can no longer ignore so must adapt to; deterioration of undergirding structures for shops and the road built over the river and the possibility of sudden catastrophic failure when in flood; the health of present and future river denizens as well as the harbor itself; and finally the relative importance of its present role. 

Logic dictates that the Town should no longer kick the can down the road. Damn. Thus unfolded the evaluation process that has led to asking this question of taxpayers on June 10. Each voter assigns different weights to the considerations.

Something has changed over the years and since previous repairs. Maine, long drawing power and industry from our rich resource of rivers and waterways, depends far less on hydropower and using rivers to flush away our wastes. We’ve gained awareness of the importance of clean waterways and the rich life that naturalized rivers bring. And in recent years, climate change impacts have become ever-more obvious, forcing us to adapt.

As a result, there is change at the political level: funding has become available to pay for re-naturalizing rivers, removing dams and building in climate change resilience. That funding does indeed provide incentives to reconsider the role of our dams in town. Good timing, since we are being forced to once again make a decision. Grant funding has already paid for the extensive studies and data-gathering that has been done, to help us make a well-informed decision.

Fortunately, voters can benefit from the very thorough study and evaluation of the pros and cons, the costs and the environmental impact of each choice. You can read all about it at the Town’s website, www.camdenmaine.gov, where a bright yellow banner takes you to “Megunticook River Project Updates.” I expect that absolutely precise dollar costs can’t be nailed down (any more than they can for your next renovation project) since so many choices must yet be made, but our consultants have provided an extensive chart of costs for your careful perusal. 

However, some things are clear at this point.

1. At a minimum, the Dam and Harbor Park sea-side infrastructure must be dealt with. To repair the dam and have the Harbor Park made more flood resilient (both necessary), those costs, estimated at $3.3 million, must be borne by Camden residents, plus at least an additional $4M if DEP requires fish passage as part of the permit to repair. The Library, ultimately responsible for the Harbor Park portion, will work with Camden to raise those funds.  
2. No grant funding is known to be applicable for such repairs.
3. Grant funding IS available if the dam is removed, because of improved fish passage, ergo no expense to taxpayer or Library. 
4. The ballot question regarding removal stipulates, “with the following conditions: 1) The Town is authorized to fund the work only from non-property tax revenue sources e.g. grants and private donations.”

What could legitimately be questioned is whether grant funding will continue to be available, given the current administration in Washington. But given the stipulation at No. 4 above, a Yes vote does not endanger taxpayer funds. And, we are voting on a long-term future direction for our river, which will outlive the current administration.

It is true that to enable fish passage further upriver, there are two significant dam impediments downtown:  Knowlton and Mill dams. Both are privately owned and so maintenance falls upon the property owners, who may or may not appreciate being relieved of their liability and want their dams removed without having to pay the costs. What is clear is that, again in those cases, State or federal financial help would likely only be available if fish passage were ensured, which cannot happen if Montgomery Dam is still fully in place. The same goes for repairs and fish adaptation at Seabright and the lake’s East and West dams. 

Thus Montgomery Dam is the keystone, so in that grant-funding scenario it must be the initial impediment to address, which we now must face and deal with because of the present need for repair and the large repair price tag and related issues and questions that raises (see paragraph 3). The larger vision of upriver naturalization and fish passage cannot take place without the removal of Montgomery Dam.

Does removal mean taxpayers MUST then address AND foot the bills for dealing with the remaining dams right away? No. The questions about those dams’ futures and possible removal can be put off, but will come up again as they require investments in repair and experience flooding damage. And at those times, if Montgomery Dam is still in place, it is clear at this time that there will not be help paying those bills.

If Montgomery Dam is removed, Camden Harbor will still present the unique spectacle of the  tumbling surprise of a waterfall emanating from beneath the shops of Main Street and entering the Harbor impossibly close to beautiful tall windjammers awaiting their next sail. In addition, tourists and locals will be provided safer and closer access to admire the falls, one of our town’s most beautiful and remarkable attractions, as well as to explore tidepools nearby. The beauty of the Megunticook River as it falls down to the Harbor is an amazing sight that we will always be lucky indeed to enjoy.

Anita Brosius-Scott lives in Camden