Going overboard
It is unfortunate and disheartening that the Portland Water District this week issued a cease and desist order for the parking lot adjacent to the Standish Boat Launch. The order will lead to a significant loss of boating and fishing access nature lovers have traditionally enjoyed in the Lower Bay. The district’s action is baseless and a punch in the stomach to Standish residents and users of the launch area.
By requiring users of the Lower Bay to possess permits, the water district is limiting enjoyment of one of Maine’s special wonders: Sebago Lake. The district’s action will plainly be a detriment to the quality of life for many Mainers who have come to enjoy open and free access to the lake.
There is still a bright light for people who love the Lower Bay, however. The town of Standish will continue to own a right-of-way (Northeast Road Extension) leading from Route 35 to the boat ramp. However, without adequate space for parking vehicles and boat trailers, the town’s 99-foot-wide right-of-way will be nearly useless. The district claims Standish can build enough parking inside the right-of way, but even so, dozens of parking spots will be lost if previous studies of the area are correct.
If the district can be trusted, people shouldn’t expect the loss of access to come too quickly. This winter season, there will be no adverse effect to public access, the district says. But no promises can be made for the summer or next winter. The district is currently plowing the parking lot in preparation for the Rotary Derby Fest in February. But when the weather turns warmer, it is likely that the district will begin construction of wetlands in place of the parking lot. (That was the district’s plan several years ago when the voters of Standish rejected development of an ecology park in place of the parking lot and boat ramp. Now, with bolstering by a recent favorable court ruling, the water district has the authority to do as it wishes.)
But while a wetlands filter may seem to make sense to the casual observer, the district’s desire to build wetlands and require permits is overboard and unnecessary.
Establishing wetlands is unnecessary because the drinking water supply, emanating from the pristine Lower Bay of Sebago Lake, is already as good as water can get. We must keep the big picture in mind. There is no need to change a good thing. Recreational activity and excellent quality drinking water are peacefully co-existing. There’s no reason to take action that will lead to the loss of much-needed recreational activity when that activity has not had a negative effect.
The district says it must build the filtering wetlands because of run-off from the bustling metropolis of Sebago Lake Village. They say during heavy rainstorms, run-off finds its way into the lake. They say oil, gas and dirt all make their way into the water through the parking lot.
And they are right. But it’s not Sebago Lake that the parking lot run-off is finding its way into; it’s the nearby Otter Ponds.
A little discussed fact is that the parking lot is slanted toward a gully that leads underground to the Otter Ponds. There’s a stream that wraps around the back of the parking lot to a ditch where it disappears into the ground and runs toward the Otter Ponds. The lot also slants toward the Otter Ponds. The topographical maps show it, and the watercourse confirms it. There cannot be a need for wetlands if run-off is already running away from Sebago Lake.
With two opposing views on how water makes its way from the village, you would think a study would be done before going to all the hassle of creating wetlands – especially when it causes diminished access for thousands of people who come to spend their time (and money) in the Lakes Region.
You can make up your own mind why the district has issued a cease and desist order. Many Standish folks feel betrayed and confused by the district’s recent behavior and consider the order harsh and over-the-top. They are confused, like we are, about why the district is trying to curtail recreational possibilities when water ratepayers already have some of the best drinking water in the nation.
It’s also funny that the PWD is limiting access in the name of good environmental stewardship, when all they’re really doing is reducing the places where nature enthusiasts can access the environment.
-John Balentine, editor
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