1'st - Like Woodsy said, if there's no $$ to operate or maintain the dams then those dams which pose a safety threat will have to (slowly) be relieved of the pressure on them and then left (?partially?) open. Otherwise you're counting on the dam to hold forever w/o any maintainence. Wasn't there a dam burst concern last year in MA ?
2'nd - I don't quite understand part of the story. In an effort to lower electric rates PSNH negoiotiated to buy power from new sources, presumably at lower rates than they have been prior to that date. Yet the story says part of the problem was that "
These contracts required PSNH to purchase the output of hydro-electric and wood-burning power plants at rates in excess of market energy prices" and subsequently revenue to the dam funds dropped by 40%. I can understand if the cost to produce power from the dams has now become economically unviable due to lower rates due to competition and/or better technology, but it starts to sound like CA where the Legislature forgot that they couldn't dictate supplier costs and went ahead and dictated consumer rates anyway. Please tell me this isn't (part of) the case.
3'rd - If the operation and mantainence can no longer be supported by selling power, then the real question is where will the $$ come to do this because I'm sure nobody is going to let the dams run open and the lake levels drop (or be uncontrolled). Since abutters to the lake derive the most utility from the lakes control, it seems that they should get stuck with more of the bill. Given that their taxes are already higher than non-waterfront owners it's debateable as to whether an additional "shoreline tax" pushes past the boundaries of fairness. As we're all been reminded recently, the lakes belong to all the people of NH, so I think nobody should get off tax-free.
4'th - Will I get to extend my dock to meet the water ? Will I be allowed to move my dock to meet the water ? Who and what will define the new high water mark ? What will count higher for the "view tax"; more beach and little water or the present scene ? Will PWCs be the only watercraft than will be able to travel between Lake Winnipesaukee and the "new" Lake Paugus ? Would be fun to have Bizer redo a map with the water levels 9' lower than normal. I wonder if Alton bay up to Sandy Pt would have to be renamed; Merrymeeting River, North Extension.
