While the Maine Department of Environmental Protection finalizes its penalties on the Town of Camden for violating erosion control laws, the state agency has also imposed a fine on the logging company that did the cutting and skidding of trees on Ragged Mountain in June and July 2014.

The DEP and Camden reached an agreement last week with a supplemental environmental project (SEP) to mitigate the environmental harm of the Ragged Mountain Redevelopment that occurred in Summer 2014 (Read Hosmer Pond project emerges as alternative to paying DEP fine), but the DEP is drawing up the consent agreement with Camden, which will likely result in an approximately $6,000 fine for the town.

The DEP has also fined Bruce Dawson, owner of the Jefferson-based BCD Excavation and Forestry, $6,000 for violating the state’s erosion and sediment control law,  protection and improvement of waters law, stormwater management law, and the Natural Resources Protection Act.

On March 27, 2014, the DEP approved an application from Camden to alter 7,028 square feet of wet meadow and forested wetland in association with the expansion of ski trails at the Snow Bowl.

The DEP stipulated that the alteration include properly installed erosion control measures, and that all disturbed soil be stabilized immediately on project completion.

In June, the DEP inspected BCD’s work and concluded that during the tree-cutting, Dawson or his employees skidded trees down trails, disturbed more than one acre of land, disturbed freshwater wetlands, and that sediment accumulated both in Hosmer Brook and Hosmer Pond, as well as in the woods between the skidding activity and the brook.

The DEP said in its consent agreement, which was signed April 24 by the Maine Office of the Attorney General, that neither Camden nor Dawson obtained permits for the above-mentioned activities.

The $6,000 Dawson fine will go into the state’s general fund, which is the repository for environmental penalties, unless otherwise directed.

The DEP fines imposed on both Dawson and Camden will conclude a three-year environmental review of the Ragged Mountain redevelopment earthworks, which resulted in concern and alarm, especially by Hosmer Pond landowners, as the sediment colllected in the water.

Related stories: 

• Hosmer Pond project emerges as alternative to paying DEP fine (May 16, 2017)

• Camden considers new project to mitigate 2014 Hosmer Pond contamination (May 15, 2017)

• Ragged Mountain Foundation pays half of Camden's $743,134 Snow Bowl shortfall

• Camden waits for $743,143 reimbursement for Ragged Mountain redevelopment

• Camden Snow Bowl forensic audit report delayed, again (March 17, 2017)

• Camden's Snow Bowl audit results delayed, no decision on DEP consent agreement, yet

• Camden and the Snow Bowl redevelopment: One citizen's inquiry into the cash flow (Feb. 2, 2017) 

• Camden Snow Bowl Manager resigns; Camden commences new town manager search (Jan. 27, 2017)

• Tacos, fat bikes and demo skis at the Camden Snow Bowl this weekend

• Camden orders Snow Bowl financial audit; to negotiate with Sidecountry, Cold Toes Tacos

• Following public outcry, Camden Select Board moved to help put two entrepreneurs back at Snow Bowl (Jan. 11, 2017)

• Camden, Rockland entrepreneurs told not to set up shop at Snow Bowl this weekend (Jan. 7, 2017) 

• Camden Select Board pledges oversight of Snow Bowl spending, approves $920,000 budget (Aug. 4, 2016)

• Shaping the Camden Snow Bowl budget: Spend more to make more, or rein it in? (August 4 2016)

• Camden voters approve dipping into surplus to cover Snow Bowl's $297,303 deficit

• Camden Select Board forms new Ragged Mountain committee to advise the Snow Bowl (June 7, 2016)

• Camden Select Board chastises itself for Snow Bowl deficit, forms new committees to help

• Camden leaders make plan to reduce Snow Bowl's two-year deficit

• What to do about the Camden Snow Bowl’s $260,000 deficit

• Sales, revenue up for season ski passes up at Camden Snow Bowl

• Camden readies Snow Bowl for new season; ticket, season pass price increases included (July 20, 2015)

• Camden approves Ledgewood contract for phase 2 of mountain work (May 20, 2015)

• With record snowfall, Camden's Ragged Mountain Recreation Area begins making financial headway

• Camden Snow Bowl Redevelopment Committee, Ragged Mountain Foundation hold community meeting (March 2, 2015)

• Camden Snow Bowl project up to $8.4 million, fundraising resumes (Feb. 3, 2015)

• Making tracks in some dreamy snow at Camden Snow Bowl (Jan. 30)

• Snow Bowl to fire up chairlifts; refunds offered to passholders (Jan 21)

• Camden Planning Board to begin Snow Bowl lodge review (Jan. 9)

Camden Select Board brings in old friend to help with Snow Bowl progress (Jan. 7)

• Camden Snow Bowl to start making snow Jan. 5 (Jan. 2)

• Camden Select Board pushes Ragged Mountain redevelopment project forward over protests of many neighbors (Dec. 18)

• Snow Bowl progress report to Camden Select Board continues to be positive (Dec. 3)

• One by one, 20 chairlift towers went up at the Camden Snow Bowl (Dec. 1)

• Helicopter to help raise, place 23 chairlift towers at Camden Snow Bowl (Dec. 1)

• Report: Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Project $500,000 over budget (Oct. 8)

• Camden Planning Board approves Snow Bowl lighting plan as proposed (Oct. 6)

• Camden Snow Bowl on target for Dec. 20 opening, weather willing (Sept. 19)

• Camden to contract with South Portland firm to manage Snow Bowl lodge, base area (July 24, 2014)

• Camden Snow Bowl project remains under DEP scrutiny, making progress, more work ahead (July 11)

• Vermont trail builder takes helm with Camden Snow Bowl project, new phase gets under way (July 10)

Camden Snow Bowl prepped for more rain, assembling working group to assist with next steps (July 2)

• Snow Bowl mountain mud runoff causes headache for neighbors, town (July 1)

• Camden Snow Bowl anticipates ending season in the black; work begins on Ragged Mountain (March 19)

• Homage to Camden’s Big T (March 15, 2014)

• By wide margin, Camden voters approve Snow Bowl improvement bond (Nov. 5, 2013)

• Camden voters consider $2 million Snow Bowl bond, three zoning amendments (Nov. 3, 2013)

• Camden committee selects new parks and recreation director (Sept. 6, 2013)

• Camden considers $2 million Snow Bowl bond, ordinance amendments Nov. 5 (Sept. 4, 2014)

• Camden ready to put $2 million bond before voters (Aug. 21, 2013)

• Camden pursues federal money to help with Snow Bowl upgrade (July 10, 2013)

• Camden learns about refurbished chairlifts, woven grips and haul ropes (April 10, 2013)

• Last run for Jeff (Jan. 21, 2013)

• Stellar start to season at Camden Snow Bowl (Jan. 9, 2013)

• Camden’s Ragged Mountain loses a good friend (Nov. 7, 2012)

• Ready for packed powder? Camden Snow Bowl to make it quicker, sooner with updated snow guns (Sept. 12, 2012)

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657