State of Maine
Department of Environmental Protection
Aug 14, 1989
Benjamin McCollister
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Town of Canton
Box 607
Canton, ME 04221
RE: Petition for Dam Inspection
Lake Anasagunticook Dam
DEP #L-14148-38-A-N
Dear Mr. McCollister:
As you will recall, the Department has for several years been evaluating
the physical condition and operation of the Lake Anasagunticook Dam, in
response to a Petition for Dam Inspection filed by the Town of Canton.
Final DEP action in this matter has been on hold in recent months pending
development of an operation plan for the dam and action on new dam safety
legislation.
I can now report that the Legislature has recently approved An Act
Concerning the Inspection of Dams (L.D. 868, a copy attached). This act
revises and transfers all dam safety authority under State law from DEP
to the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). As emergency legislation,
the new law became effective on the date signed by the Governor (July 10,
1989).
As a result of the new legislation, the DEP no longer has any authority
to act on the Town's Petition. Therefore I am hereby returning the Town's
Petition to you.
Because the Lake Anasagunticook Dam has been classified by the Army Corps
of Engineers as a "significant hazard" dam, it is subject to the provisions
of the new law.
- MEMA must inspect the dam by June 1, 1995 to determine its appropriate
hazard classification and its material condition.
- If classified by MEMA as a high or significant hazard, the dam must
have an emergency operations plan prepared for and accepted by MEMA.
- MEMA may order changes to the dam or its operation to protect public
safety.
The new law also allows the municipal officers to petition MEMA at any
time for an inspection of any dam covered by the law.
For further information, I suggest that you contact David Brown, Director,
Maine Emergency Management Agency, State House Station 72, Augusta, Maine,
04333 (Telephone: 289-4080)
Finally, please feel free to call me or Don Anderson at 289-2111 if you
have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dana Paul Murch,
Dams & Hydro Supervisor
Bureau of Land Quality Control
cc:
Gary Richards, Owner of Lake Anasagunticook Dam
Ray Fortier, Agent for Owner
Bill Ball, Acheron Engineering
Al Somes, Canton Lake Association
David Brown, MEMA
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