Residents of Sturbridge
This is an open letter to all Sturbridge residents regarding the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s (DFW) proposal for dam removal and stream restoration of Hamant Brook, located at the Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area (f/k/a Camp Robinson Crusoe).
On May 28th, from 6:00 pm to 8:45 pm, an informational meeting will be held at the Joshua Hyde Library. On hand will be experts who can answer resident’s questions. Refreshments will be served.
The town meeting in April presented a non-binding warrant article which gauged resident’s support for DFW’s dam removal/stream restoration proposal. The vote was evenly split at 62 to 62. Since the town meeting, however, additional information has come to light which is of utmost importance to residents:
On April 30th, the Sturbridge Conservation Commission received two Dam Safety Orders from the state’s Office of Dam Safety. These Orders pertain to only two of several dams on the site: the Upper Pond Dam is rated a “Significant Hazard Potential”; and the Middle Pond Dam is rated a “Low Hazard Potential.” Both Orders require that the town complete Phase I Inspections and reports by qualified engineers with respective due dates of August 28, 2009 and October 28, 2009. Time is of the essence.
According to the Office of Dam Safety’s webpage, “a Significant Hazard Potential dam refers to dams located where failure may cause loss of life and damage home(s), industrial or commercial facilities, secondary highway(s) or railroad(s) or cause interruption of use or service of relatively important facilities. A Low Hazard Potential dam refers to dams located where failure may cause minimal property damage to others. Loss of life is not expected.”
To my knowledge, the town has not budgeted for these inspections and reports, which are required to avoid fines. If these reports do not meet deadlines, or if the town fails to comply with these Orders, the town is subject to a $500 fine per violation, with each day of violation being subject to a $500 fine. Rough cost for these inspections and reports is (CME Engineering quote): $7,000 -$8,000 each.
Consider the damage caused by flooding in New England in 2005 and 2006. The results of such caused amendments to Dam Safety Regulations to become effective in late 2005, requiring private property owners to report, inspect, and maintain dams on their properties. It is important to note that negotiations to acquire the parcel began prior to such amendments and therefore, no one could foresee the challenges, or requirements, that lay ahead where these dams are concerned. It is important that we act now on this proposal and stop wasting time, or laying blame where it does not belong. Numerous reasons to support this proposal include:
• There is no cost to the town now, or in the future
• Removal of the dams eliminates liability, plus all requirements and costs associated with dam compliance
• Additional agencies will assist, thus removing the burden off the town’s shoulders
• There are numerous benefits to wildlife and wildlife habitat: too many to list here
• Invasive plant species will be eliminated, thus preventing the further spread of exotic plant species beyond the town’s borders via the Quinebaug River
• Restoration of Hamant Brook to its original, natural form, function, and condition
• Potential for the town to work with DFW: Sturbridge can be in the forefront of stream restoration in Massachusetts.
These dams are visibly failed, dangerous, and are a liability to the town and its residents. They serve no good purpose at this time; however, they are responsible for several negative functions, which include blocking brook trout migration and breeding; and they promote erosion, sedimentation, and growth of non-native, invasive plant species. DFW employs wildlife biologists, scientists, and other experts when making important decisions affecting our Commonwealth’s natural resources; there is no reason to doubt their expert opinion on this subject.
If the town does not support this proposal, in addition to the Orders above, residents may expect the following: 1) hired by DFW at no cost to Sturbridge, engineers with Interfluve, Inc. provided a “ballpark” estimate of $715,000, for dam repair, design and permitting, but not annual maintenance. 2) hired by Sturbridge voters at a cost of $12,000, engineers with CME produced a range of costs, from $727,000 to $1,604,000 which does not include design, permitting, inspection services, or the yearly maintenance costs associated with dam operation.
Residents: the opportunity to have this obligation completely paid is knocking on our newly restored town hall door. Costs associated with dam maintenance are expensive and long-term. Residents have a choice: we can either shoulder the burden of all liability and costs now and into the future, or we can approve DFW’s proposal to remove all the dams and restore the brook to its former cold-water trout stream – at no cost to Sturbridge. Please make your support of the proposal known by contacting the Sturbridge Conservation Commission.
Hope to see you all on May 28th!
Carol Childress
Sturbridge resident
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