AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing later this month on a petition to establish a water-level regime for Clary Lake in Whitefield and Jefferson.

The hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, at the Jefferson Fire Department, at 204 Waldoboro Road in Jefferson. The petition has been filed by George S. Fergusson et al, according to a department news release.

State officials said the purpose of the hearing is to receive evidence and oral testimony regarding the water levels necessary to:

• Maintain public access and use of the water for navigation, fishing, fowling, recreation and other lawful uses;
• Protect the safety of shoreline residents and the public;
• Maintain fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and public and private water supplies;
• Prevent the excessive erosion of shorelines; accommodate precipitation and run-off of waters;
• Support ongoing use of the dam to generate or to enhance the downstream generation of hydroelectric or hydromechanical power;
• Provide flows from any dam on the body of water to maintain public access and use, fish propagation and fish passage facilities, fish and wildlife habitat and water quality downstream.

A copy of the petition is available for review during business hours at DEP’s central office at 28 Tyson Drive in Augusta and also on the department’s website at www.maine.gov/dep/water/dams-hydro.

For information, contact DEP Project Manager Beth Callahan at beth.callahan@maine.gov or 287-3901.

 

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