When it comes to the June 10 vote on whether or not to save the Montgomery Dam and Falls, there are still a lot of unknowns.  For example:

What happens if … the dam is removed and alewives don’t swim up the new passageway into the Megunticook River?  After all, getting alewives (and/or other sea-run fish) into the Megunticook Watershed is a key requirement for obtaining federal grants to remove or re-engineer six other dams on the river.

What happens if … we don’t get those federal grants or other funding for river restoration, which could cost as much as $35 million?  Who’s going to pay for that?  Camden taxpayers?

What happens if … alewives do succeed in getting past the dam site?  The alewives could become easy pickings for thousands of sea gulls invading our inner harbor and lovely downtown, leaving a trail of stinky dead fish, bones, and bird droppings around our buildings, streets, cars, boats, and even Harbor Park.

What happens if … the Knox Mill Dam is still standing when alewives enter the Megunticook River?  They could die at the base of that dam by the thousands, creating a big stink in downtown Camden.  And who will clean up all the smelly dead fish? 

What happens if … fish ladders are created at the Seabright and East/West dam sites and alewives don’t succeed in making it past them? Is the lake level lowered to help them?  

What happens if … beavers (yes, we have beavers in the Megunticook) build “natural” dams to replace those that are removed?  Do we remove the beavers?

These are just a few of the many potential consequences of removing the Montgomery Dam.   

And more reasons for you to Vote NO on Article 7 when you cast your ballot on or before June 10.  

Ray Andresen lives in Camden