Friends of Sebago Lake
P.O. Box 445, Casco, ME 04015
www.friendsofsebago.org
Ms. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First St., NE
Room 11G-1
Washington, D.C. 20426
June 18, 2003
RE: Presumpscot River, Maine hydro-electric projects, FERC Nos. 2942-005;
2931-002; 2941-002; 2932-003; 2897-003
Dear Secretary Salas,
Intervenor Friends of Sebago Lake (FOSL) concurs with the sentiments expressed
by American Rivers and Friends of the Presumpscot River (FOPR) in their
June 17 letter to the Commission regarding the need and justification for
timely issuance of new licenses for the above dams.
Like American Rivers and FOPR, Friends of Sebago Lake was invited by the
license applicant, SAPPI, to a June 16 meeting to discuss the possibility
of holding some type of settlement discussions in the future. Friends of
Sebago Lake informed SAPPI we would not attend the meeting when we learned
SAPPI was using this proposed meeting as a pretext to request the Commission
indefinitely delay license issuance for these dams.
On May 30, 2003 Friends of Sebago Lake learned SAPPI had formally appealed
the State of Maine's final Water Quality Certificate Order for these dams;
and that SAPPI requested the Maine Board of Environmental Protection indefinitely
delay hearing its appeal on the pretext of its proposed June 16 meeting
with agencies and NGOs to discuss the possibility of future settlement discussions
regarding these dams.
On June 5, 2003 Friends of Sebago Lake informed the Maine Environmental
Board of Environmental of our opposition to any delay in their hearing of
SAPPI's appeal of the Maine Water Quality Certificate Order for these dams.
We informed the Board we would not participate in any discussions with SAPPI
if our participation was used by SAPPI to request a delay in license issuance
for these dams. A copy of our June 5, 2003 letter is attached.
To date, the only reason offered by SAPPI to delay license issuance is
that comprehensive settlement discussions between the interested parties,
including FOSL, are now taking place. No such discussions are taking place.
This spring marks the 269th year that the native Atlantic salmon, American
shad and river herring of the Presumpscot River have been denied access
to their homes in the river above Westbrook, Maine. Friends of Sebago Lake
respectfully requests the Commission promptly issue licenses for these dams
so this wrong may be redressed.
Sincerely,
Douglas Watts
Friends of Sebago Lake
cc: Service List
Friends of Sebago Lake
P.O. Box 445, Casco, ME 04015 · www.friendsofsebago.org
June 5, 2003
Mr. Richard Wardwell, Chair
Maine Board of Environmental Protection
State House Station 17
Augusta, ME 04333
RE: Appeal by S.D. Warren of State of Maine Water Quality Certification
Order for S.D. Warren's Presumpscot River Hydro-Electric Dams
#L-19713-33-E-N (Dundee Falls)
#L-19714-33-E-N (Gambo Falls)
#L-19715-33-E-N (Little Falls)
#L-19716-33-E-N (Mallison Falls)
#L-19717-33-E-N (Saccarappa Falls)
Dear Mr. Wardwell,
Friends of Sebago Lake has received S.D. Warren's appeal of the State of
Maine's Water Quality Certification Order issued for the above dams on April
30, 2003.
S.D. Warren requests the Board not hear its appeal pursuant to Section
24(B)(2) of Chapter 2 of the Department's rules because:
"S.D. Warren is actively seeking to resolve the issues presented
in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ('FERC') relicensing process
through a comprehensive settlement. S.D. Warren hopes to address the issues
raised in this appeal as well through such a settlement, which hopefully
would eliminate the need for this appeal and will allow the parties to reach
consensus."
Friends of Sebago Lake is one of the parties identified by S.D. Warren
as a participant in the "comprehensive settlement" effort described
above.
Friends of Sebago Lake does not wish to engage in settlement discussions
with S.D. Warren regarding the State of Maine's April 30, 2003 Water Quality
Certificate Order for SAPPI's Presumpscot River dams.
We believe the State of Maine's April 30, 2003 Water Quality Certificate
Order for SAPPI's Presumpscot River dams is proper and legal.
Friends of Sebago Lake is an official intervenor in the FERC proceeding
for S.D. Warren's Presumpscot River dams and we have a significant interest
in licenses for these dams being issued in a timely fashion. Friends of
Sebago Lake believes the stay requested by S.D. Warren of its appeal of
the Department's April 30 Water Quality Certificate Order for reasons of
supposed settlement activities is very much against our interests.
For the above reasons, Friends of Sebago Lake requests the Board of Environmental
Protection act immediately on S.D. Warren's appeal of the Department's Water
Quality Certificate Order for the Presumpscot River dams.
Sincerely,
Roger Wheeler, President
Friends of Sebago Lake