Dear Editor:

As an unfortunate abutter to CMBGs massive expansion, I am constantly answering questions like “what is going on up there?” Since this paper seems disinclined to keep the public informed, I will.

The massive leach field originally placed in the watershed of Knickerbocker Lake and immediately uphill from the Anthony’s property has been moved out of the watershed. This was accomplished by an incontrovertible phosphorous export calculation developed by an expert for BRWD, and some persuasion by Paul Coulombe. The calculation demonstrated that the 918 space parking lot complex and disposal fields would adversely affect the lake and the town’s drinking water — a violation of ordinance. We were originally told that the disposal field could not be moved because there were no other suitable soils. When political realities emerged, it was with little effort that another site outside of the watershed was located.

To date the DEP and the BRWD have documented five erosion control failures on the construction site that have sent silt and phosphorous into wetlands, significant vernal pools, and a stream that feeds Little Knickerbocker Lake (LKL). The measured phosphorous levels jumped ten fold, and in one instance 100 times the average phosphorus level. Too much phosphorous in the lake will cause the oxygen to be removed (anoxia) which then causes more phosphorus to be released from the bottom sediments — a very dangerous runaway process called self-loading. This in turn can cause a nearly irreversible condition whereby the lake turns green.

In May the BRWD found that the five meter deep LKL is anoxic below three meters. A very unusual situation so early in the season. The cause is unknown because we lack previous data. As a direct result of CMBG’s actions and those of the contractors it employs and oversees, CMBG, on Thursday, June 29, was issued a Notice of Violation by the DEP. They were cited for violating the Natural Resources Protection Act, the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law, the Protection and Improvement of Waters Act, and the Site Location of Development Act.

Kevin Anthony

Boothbay