State Legislators Provide Update on Dam at Old Killingly Pond Issue
Key Takeaways
- DEEP orders WISH to assess dam repair or replacement
- Lawmakers meet officials and residents over Old Killingly Pond
- Safety, water resources, habitat, and corporate responsibility remain concerns
- WISH needs a permit to maintain reduced water levels
State Legislators Provide Update on Dam at Old Killingly Pond Issue
KILLINGLY- In a follow-up to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) dam at Old Killingly Pond Issue, immediately after the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced it had taken the first step in an enforcement action toward Wright Investors' Service Holdings Inc., (WISH), the owner of the dam at Old Killingly Pond, State Representatives Anne Dauphinais (R-44) and Chris Stewart (R-51) attended a meeting to better understand this action and its implications.
DEEP has issued WISH a Consent Order requiring the organization to determine what work is needed to restore Old Killingly Pond’s pre-drawdown water levels. The options are to (1) repair or (2) completely replace the dam. While constructive negotiations are underway, officials remain cautiously optimistic that a solution is being developed to address the concerns of residents and others impacted by the historic drawdown.
DEEP said the action resulted from a collaborative effort by local and state officials, as well as affected residents and the surrounding community. Old Killingly Pond is an important resource for Northeast Connecticut and also impacts the quality of life of nearby Rhode Island residents.
While negotiations are ongoing, key issues for concern have remained at the forefront for DEEP, state legislators, town officials and area residents:
· Resident safety
· Resource protection (cold water source at risk to Killingly and surrounding towns)
· Risk to endangered species and critical habitat
· Corporate contractual responsibility
In order to maintain this reduced water level, WISH must obtain a permit. The ability to obtain said permit is prohibited until the required repair or replacement of the existing dam has be completed.
While Representatives Dauphinais and Stewart remain hopeful that actions undertaken by WISH are expeditious and appropriate, the state lawmakers understand that DEEP has enforcement tools and penalties at their disposal should they be deemed necessary.
Rep. Dauphinais with Old Killingly Pond residents, Al Dufresne and Nick Tavernier
