Newsletter 1983

President:		Directors:
Gilman Glover		Barbara Howard
Vice President:		Bud Robinson
Alan Coy		Gilman Glover
Treasurer:		Howard Kesseli
Bud Robinson		Gloria B. Chase
Secretary:		Allan Coy
Gloria B. Chase		Willard Starbird
		Gerald Arno
		Ernest Judkins
		Hoyt Fairbrother

It has been a busy year for the SLA and after numerous meetings, letters, phone calls etc. we now have a fair and workable Lake Water Management Agreement in writing with the developers of the Sebec Hydro Project, The Swift River Co. The complete agreement and press release is included in this newsletter. If there are any questions about this agreement you may call me at 207-564-3991, or write and I will have an answer or get one as soon as possible. The permit application has been filed with the State and Federal Agencies and our agreement is a part of this application.

The effectiveness of membership was a very important tool and part of the negotiations for the Lake Water Management Agreement. It never really became an open issue but you can believe it was critically important. Your annual $10 membership fee is very essential. We had one of our best membership years last year so let us see if we can beat it this year. Remind your neighbors and friends to join.

Many people gave us their unlimited help and service over the last year, anmely: Senator Cohen’s Office (Tom Howard –Aide), Senator Mitchell’s Office (Clyde MacDonald –Aide), Representative Stephanie Locke, Representative John Masterman, Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager, Owen Pratt, Selectman Eugene Gammon, Stuart E. Hayes, Esquire, and Mr. Robert Haskell, Chairman of Bangor Hydro Electric Co. On behalf of the Directors and Members of Sebec Lake Association, Thank You. Have a nice summer.

“Ice Out” was official at Sebec Lake, Wednesday, April 20, at 9:50 A.M. The last time the ice went out on the date was April 20, 1910. The earliest was April 1, 1902 and the latest was may 14, 1972

Due to increased theft and vandalism around the lake, we found it necessary to offer rewards for information leading to the ARREST AND CONVICTIONS of the perpetrations of these acts. In cooperation with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, the Sebec Lake Association is offering up to $250.00 cash reward. Sheriff Frank Murch, upon authorization from the Directors, will disperse the money to the appropriate person or persons. The reward and the amount will be offered at the discretion of the directors. Ads will be placed in local papers when necessary. The reward is for lake shore property and equipment only and must be reported to the Sheriff’s Department and exceed $1000.00 loss or damage. Also we have FREE, warning, no trespassing reward signs available for camp owners. These yellow plastic 8 X 8 1/2 signs are high quality and durable and should last many years. They are available at the Sheriff’s Office in Dover-Foxcroft, Howard’s Marina and Park Grocery Store on the Park Road. TWO (2) PER CAMP PLEASE.

Some of you probably seen SLA T-Shirts and hats around and you will probably see more. This project turned out to be qui9te successful and has helped create some extra revenue. This year items will be available only at the UNICORN at Brown’s Mill, Howard’s Marine and Park Grocery Store on the park road. We will also have some laminated water proof depth and buoy maps available. These items make nice Christmas gifts (stock up).

We are in the process of designing a promotional display for the Association, to be used at different local events like the Piscataquis Valley Fair and the Dover-Foxcroft Business Show etc., if we can obtain space. The Directors also voted to erect a sign at Greeley’s Landing welcoming people to the area and promoting the Sebec Lake Association.

The lake will, of course, be buoyed again this summer. We have had all the buoys refurbished by the State and Mr. Norm Watters of Sebec will be tending to their installation, maintenance and removal. Please do not tie boats to them as they are not anchored and if you see one missing or out of place, please call 564-3991. It will be taken care of as soon as possible.

Subject: Agreement with the Swift River Co. of lake level management provisions.

Dover-Foxcroft – The Sebec Lake Association and the Swift River Co. have reached agreement on future lake level management provisions, according to Mr. Gilman Glover, President of the Association. Mr. Glover said that he is very pleased that two years of efforts, involving many people, have resulted in agreement with the Swift River Co., developers of the proposed hydro electric generating facility at the dam in Sebec Village. He commented that, “In essence, with minor variations, this simply continues on what was arranged between the Association and Mr. Robert N. Haskell, Chairman of Bangor Hydro-Electric Company, over ten years ago, which in practice has worked so well.”

In late 1982 the Swift River Co. began generating power at its new hydro electric installation in Milo.

From the Swift River Co. offices in Portland, Maine, Mr. Christian A. Herter, III, Vice President, said that, “I am delighted that we have been able to come to this agreement, and believe that it will not only insure the continued recreational value of Sebec Lake through closely monitored water levels, but also result in the generation of significant amounts of electric power.”

Mr. Herter said that they will lease the existing dam in Sebec Village from Bangor Hydro-Electric Company, and plan to begin work at the site this summer. He emphasized, in this connection, that appropriate steps will be taken to maintain as normal a water level as is possible during the summer construction period, adding that this concern has been discussed in detail with the Sebec Lake Association.

Mr. Herter noted that after repairs and modifications to the existing powerhouse (electricity was generated at the dam until 1940), two turbines of Swedish design and manufacture will be installed. Since the two existing water discharge gates will be used to control water flow to the new turbines, Mr. Herter said that it will be necessary to build additional discharge gates in order to control properly lake levels. The exact location of these new gates at the dam has yet to be determined after further engineering studies by the firm of E.C. Jordan Co., also of Portland.

Two years ago Mr. John Cotton of Sebec received a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to undertake feasibility studies of a hydro electric development at the dam. Subsequently it was disclosed that Mr. Cotton was considering a partnership with investors and a turbine manufacturer from France, But this did not materialized. The Swift River Co. became involved in the project less than a year ago. It is understood that Mr. Cotton will retain a minority interest in the project.

According to Mr. Herter, Sebec Hydro Co., formed by Swift River Co. to develop and operate the project, is about to file an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for exemption from licensing, which is made possible under the Commission’s regulations because of the comparatively small size of the project’s projected annual output of between two-million and two-and-one-half-million kilo watt hours. He noted, however, that Sebec Hydro Co., in its application, is requesting that the eight provisions relating to lake level management, agreed upon with the Sebec Lake Association, be made a part of the Commission’s expected exemption order. Mr. Herter added that Sebec Hydro Co. Must also receive approval from appropriate agencies and departments within the State of Maine before any construction work can begin.

Generated electricity will be sold and transmitted to Bangor Hydro-Electric Company over a power line yet to be installed, said Mr. Herter.

Mr. David W. Young of Swift River Co. will be Project Manager at the site this summer, according to Mr. Herter. The project is scheduled for completion about the end of 1983.

The eight Provisions agreed upon relation to water level management at Sebec Lake are as Follows:

1. The developer shall maintain, to the extent reasonable possible, the Sebec Dam crest elevation of 322.8 feet (U.S.G.S.) during the period of Memorial Day to the Monday following Labor Day of each year. During this period the Developer may, however, fluctuate the lake level between 322.3 feet and 322.8 feet for the purpose of electric power generation; however, the up or down cycle will extend over a period of not less that approximately six days. At no time during the year will the water maintained or stored for power generation at a level higher than 322.8 feet.

2. Except for instantaneous minimum flow releases as required by Federal or State regulatory agencies (tentatively set at 40 c.f.s. by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection), the Developer shall, during the period of Memorial day to the Monday following Labor day of each year, release water for power generation only if the lake level at the dam can be maintained between 322.3 feet and 322.8 feet.

3. The developer will to the extent reasonable, when unusually heavy and prolonged rains are forecast for the area, consider an take prompt action where appropriate, to draw down the lake level to reduce flooding potential. The developer will also, to the extent reasonable, when ice goes out in the spring, consider drawing down the lake level to reduce potential damage to shore front property.

4. Should it become necessary for the Developer to perform emergency repairs to the project or to otherwise prevent imminent damage to the project, the developer retains the right to deviate from conditions set forth herein for such length of time as it necessary to make emergency repairs or to take corrective action. The developer and his agents will, in this connection, make every effort to limit any such deviation during the period from Memorial Day to the Monday following Labor Day to an absolute minimum.

5. For as long as the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall manage Sebec Lake for lake trout, the Developer shall manage the fall-winter levels in Sebec Lake as follows: by October 15 of each year, Sebec Lake will be drawn down to the lowest elevation anticipated for the period of October 15 to the following May 15; water level may be raised or lowered during the October 15 – May 15 period but may not be drawn lower than the level on October 15 of the same period.

6. The developer and his agents shall make every reasonable effort to keep property owners and user of Sebec Lake informed of developments in which they have an interest, and shall be responsive as possible to appointed representatives of appropriate groups, including municipal officials, representing the same.

7. During construction or any non-emergency overhaul of the physical plant (or part thereof) that occurs during the period of Memorial Day to the Monday following Labor Day, appropriate measures shall be taken by the Developer and his agents to insure maintenance of the water level of 322.8 feet, to the extent reasonable possible.

8. A gate discharge capacity of not less than the present gate discharge capacity as determined by good engineering practice, shall be maintained and available at all times, including such times as it may become necessary to fully capacity shall also be maintained.