Background
Candlewood Lake is owned by Northeast Generating Services
(NGS). NGS owns up to the 440 foot contour level. The 440 contour is
approximately 12 vertical feet about the typical high water mark.
NGS is in the process of developing a Shoreline Management
Plan (SMP) as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
The SMP will directly affect every lakefront property owner and at least
indirectly affect everyone property owner in the Knolls. All usage of
property below 440 contour will have to be licensed by NGS.
NGS developed a draft SMP and presented it to the public
in October 2005. NGS responded to the public feedback and is preparing a
final version incorporating the public feedback. NGS made a presentation on
February 22nd of what will be going into the final version.
The final version will be sent to FERC in April 2006 for
their review. Upon approval by FERC the SMP will be put into effect.
The wildcard in all this is that the lake is up for sale.
While the new owner will have to follow the Plan, whether they will be as
accomodating as NGS appears to be remains to be seen.
Updates:
April 13, 2006 - Representatives from the Town of
New Fairfield and the City of Danbury are meeting with the Attorney General
of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal to discuss getting NGS to delay filing
the plan for at least 90 days. The 90 days would give non-resident property
owners a chance to comment on the plan.
SMP Highlights
SMP Frequently Asked Questions
This is a summary of what is in the SMP and how it affects
Candlewood Knolls and Knolls property owners.
- All parcels on the Lake will be paying an annual
licensing fee to NGS. The fee isn't tied down yet but the range is $200 to
$400.
- Most existing uses will be grandfathered in. This means
our beaches, boats slips and swim docks should be okay.
- ALL existing, unlicensed moorings in the lake will be
removed.
- Wall spaces are NOT moorings. However, as a community
we will have to negotiate the number of wall spaces that we can keep for
jetskis and it is
unlikely that they will allow boats tied to wall spaces.
- They are not going to regulate non-registered boats (i.e
Sunfish, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, etc.)
- ALL current uses of the lake will be licensed. Until
that is done, they will NOT be issuing any new licenses. The licensing
process will take months
and may not be finished this year. This affects the North Beach wall
project. We will have to discuss that with NGS when we get our license for
North Beach. The current plan is to start issuing new licences in Q2 2007.
- NGS wants to establish vegetative buffer zones on the
Lake, but it will be voluntary with exceptions. One exception will be when
a license for work is requested. (That means North Beach Wall.) The other
exception is when the property is sold. The new owner will have x number
of years to establish the
buffer zone.
- Supposedly the buffer zones will be allowed to be
worked in around existing structures.
- Storm drains that empty into the Lake will have to be
licensed as well.
- There is still an issue with people who have what is
known as pass/re-pass rights. They have deeded rights to a boat
slip, but it is not directly adjacent to their property. Originally the
plan was to get rid of them, but there seems to be a lot of resistance, so
that's still up in the air.
- There are also issues will people who have deeded
rights to the lake and whether or not NGS can charge them license fees.
- They may also establish a sticker program for all boats
on the lake.
All in all, it seems much more reasonable than what was in
the original draft proposal. NGS actually seems to be bending over backward
to not make anyone do anything drastic immediately unless it is "grossly
non-compliant".
The biggest short-term problem facing the Knolls is with
the North Beach wall. We can't do it without the license from NGS. If and
when we get the license they may make
us create a buffer zone in that property, which may increase the cost beyond
our budget.
Informational Links
Essex Partnership - The consultants hired to
develop the SMP. The draft SMP is available there. Keep in mind that there
are a lot of MAJOR changes being made to the draft.
Candlewood Lake
Authority
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