CAMDEN, Maine (AP) — Opponents of removing a 200-year-old dam in Maine are organizing against plans to partially remove the dam that no longer serves an official purpose.
A growing opposition, made up of downtown Camden property and business owners, says that the Montgomery Dam and the waterfall it creates is a major part of the town image, Bangor Daily News reported.
Town officials say the dam poses significant risks, including flooding, that will become more severe as storms intensify due to climate change.
“That’s why the scientists are recommending removing it because (flooding) could kill this town and people are not taking that seriously,” Select Board member Marc Ratner said at a meeting last month. “Do you want to see beauty for another couple years or 10 years or 20 years, or do you want to save the town?”
A feasibility study found that the best option to reduce the potential for upstream flooding would be a full removal of the dam.
The opposition has criticized how officials are handling discussions and feel that officials have already made a decision without considering other options.
“The waterfall is a treasure. It’s a treasure like the harbor, it’s a treasure (like) Harbor Park, it’s a treasure like Mount Battie,” said Tom Rothwell, a member of the citizen group Save the Dam Falls and co-owner of the Camden Deli, which sits directly above the dam. “My attitude is that they have no right to be destroying any of these treasures.”
