Dear Editor:

In the Nov. 11 article, the Boothbay Region Water District reported that Adams Pond remains in good shape despite the severe drought. What was not mentioned is that Knickerbocker Lake – by their own teloger data – dropped roughly 33 inches between May and early August, during which time Campbell Creek stopped flowing entirely. That is exactly the kind of impact the dtate’s Withdrawal Order says should not occur “in most years.”

For more than eight months, several Knickerbocker Lake residents have tried to secure the required studies that would help explain the lake’s condition through this period of drought. Despite formal Freedom of Access requests, the Maine DEP has not provided the baseline records, nor the safe-yield and drawdown studies the Order requires. DEP recently said it is “still evaluating” our complaint, but offered no timeline, findings, or access to the missing study.

This is not about politics or blame. It is simply about planning, transparency and responsible stewardship of a public water source. When Knickerbocker drops at least three feet and its outlet stream repeatedly goes dry, the community deserves clear answers and the data needed to understand what “good shape” actually means for a sustainable water source.

Andy Cozzi

Boothbay