First, I would like to compliment John Balentine on his very good article titled, “Storm Renews Lake-Level Debate,” that appeared in the Sept. 16 edition of the Lakes Region Weekly.

I do believe that there was one slight factual error in that to the best of my knowledge, S.D. Warren (Sappi) never requested the present lake level management plan (LLMP). I believe the state of Maine requested the present LLMP of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in keeping with their high lake level philosophy for all lakes in the state. Keeping the lake high all summer has reduced the efficiency of river flows and thus Sappi has lost several million dollars in hydropower since the 1996 LLMP went into effect. No competent hydropower manager would have created such a plan. S.D. Warren Co. was owned by Scott Paper Company in 1987 and did start keeping lake levels high to capitalize on the Legislature’s short-term bonus winter power production incentive and to appease Sebago Lake Marina owner Mr. Charlie Frechette’s marina association, which was demanding constant high lake levels.

Second, I think that Mr. Frechette, who has been a spokesperson for the Sebago Lake region’s marinas, is totally incorrect about his theories regarding the causes of erosion at the State Park’s Songo Beach. He indicated the causes were foot traffic and small children digging in the sand. From hundreds of examples of catastrophic beach and shoreline erosion lakewide, there is one location that stands out. About 15 years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertook a huge riprap project at the south end of Sebago. This was on Portland Water District land that was restricted from human trespass. The erosion from the post-1987 high water was so severe it was starting to endanger parts of Route 35. Depending on who one talks to, the project cost $700,000 or more. So, in this case, no one trampled on the vegetation or dug in the sand. This lake-wide erosion was due to the higher lake levels, which the marinas successfully advocated for.

Third, Mr. Frechette’s concern about a return to the old LLMP should not endanger the boating industry. Our family has been vacationing on Sebago Lake for over 50 years and the marinas and boating were very viable prior to the current LLMP. There is no reason that they should not continue to be viable if Sappi’s request to return to the old LLMP is approved. Marinas may have to dredge their channels and around their boat slips more often, just as they did under the old LLMP. That is just a cost of doing business and ends up being reflected in what they charge their customers. It is my understanding that the town of Sebago partnered with Mr. Frechette in dredging the channel to his marina last fall. So, the taxpayers in Sebago helped subsidize Mr. Frechette’s marina.

Fourth, the wetlands around the lake are supposed to act as filters for run-off rainwater before it enters the lake. When they are flooded most of the time by high lake levels, they cannot do their job. There is a bog near our cottage. It has turned into a real flocculent mess in recent years. If the current LLMP keeps up, I think it will turn into a floating meadow eventually. The fish, frog, and turtle population, which Mr. Frechette likes to mention, thrived when the lake level occasionally dropped to historic lower levels in the summer and the bog became a stream and wetland.

Fifth, in 2010, Sebago Technics, a local well-respected engineering firm, did some water quality data analysis on water samples taken by the Portland Water District over a period of several years. This analysis showed a definite and significant degradation in water quality since 2005. Several reputable state and national environmental experts have agreed with this analysis and degradation also.

Finally, because of marina demands for high water, waterfront property owners on the open part of the lake have lost their sand beaches and have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars to rip-rap their waterfronts in order to minimize accelerating erosion and protect their property. Mr. Frechette would have no idea of that because he is not on the open part of the lake. Sure, under the old LLMP, we had to move our docks out as the lake went down. That would be a small price for us to pay to protect this very valuable resource.