The town is seeking to resolve a group of Anthes Avenue area residents' complaints about low water levels that they repeatedly encounter at a shallow inlet on Lake Zoar at the Housatonic River, about one mile upriver of the Silver Bridge.FirstLight: "We Are Fully Complying"First Selectman Comments

George Benson, town director of planning, said June 22 that in response to those residents' concerns, he plans to meet on June 24 with representatives of FirstLight Power Resources in seeking a solution to the problem.

"It's a complex issue," Mr Benson said.

FirstLight operates a series of hydroelectric power stations along the Housatonic River, including the power station at Stevenson Dam, where the level of Lake Zoar is lowered, or allowed to rise, as needed, as part of hydroelectric operations.

Norman Gardner of 4-A Anthes Avenue said this week he has property with frontage on the Lake Zoar inlet. Mr Gardner said that FirstLight's control of the water level at Lake Zoar for hydroelectric purposes has often resulted in that inlet being drained of much of its water, posing environmental problems, as well as navigational problems for people with boats there.

Normally, the inlet's depth is about 3½ to 4 feet, he said.

The lake's water level fluctuations are frequent and rapid, he said, adding that on Sunday, June 19, the water level in the inlet dropped suddenly and left about a dozen large carp stranded in shallow water. Mr Gardner said that he and others then worked to rescue those floundering fish and place them in deeper water to revive them.

Mr Gardner said he has lived at Anthes Avenue for 23 years, adding that the fluctuating low water level situation has been a problem for the last few years. Last year, Mr Gardner and some neighbors met with FirstLight and town officials in seeking to resolve the water level issues.

About 15 neighbors have formed an ad hoc group known as the Zoar Waterfront Association to seek a solution to the problem, Mr Gardner said. The group's goals are to protect and maintain the lake's shoreline, as well as preserve its wildlife habitat and recreational value, he said.

Gary Fillion, a Newtown member of the Lake Zoar Authority, who lives downriver of Anthes Avenue in the Riverside section of Sandy Hook, said that the authority has sought to resolve the conflict between the Anthes Avenue residents and FirstLight.

Mr Fillion said that Lake Zoar is deep near the dock at his home, so he does not experience the low water level problem there.

Mr Fillion said that other areas on the lake, where there is shallow water, experience loss-of-navigation problems when the water level is lowered.

FirstLight needs to pay attention to problems such as those experienced in the inlet at Anthes Avenue, Mr Fillion said.

People who own land with Lake Zoar frontage bought that land to enjoy the recreational aspects of the lake, he noted.

Leonard Greene, a FirstLight spokesman, noted that Mr Gardner lives next to an inlet on the lake that is shallow.

FirstLight operates the Stevenson Dam power station in full compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, Mr Greene said.

"We are fully complying with all licensing requirements," he added.

Mr Greene said he in unsure whether there is a remedy for the Anthes Avenue water level situation.

Sedimentation of that inlet may be occurring, he said.

"I understand his frustration," Mr Greene said of Mr Gardner's complaints.

FirstLight's FERC permit requires the water level of Lake Zoar be kept somewhere between 100.5 feet and 103.0 feet above sea level, he said. FirstLight thus seeks to keep the water level at somewhere between 101.5 feet and 102.5 feet above sea level, in view of the recreational uses of the lake, he said.

The company seeks to address the lake's recreational and environmental issues, he said.

Besides FERC requirements, the firm is in compliance with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) fishery requirements, Mr Greene said.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said that FirstLight needs to raise and lower Lake Zoar's water level in generating electricity.

But the rise and fall of the lake's level poses ecological and recreational issues, she said.

Mrs Llodra said that a series of photos taken on June 19 depicting fish that were stranded in low water near Anthes Avenue are "heartbreaking."

This summer is the third summer that town officials have been addressing complaints about the low water levels at the inlet, she said.

The town is seeking to balance the competing interests concerning that water level issue, but the town has not been able to resolve the problem, Mrs Llodra said. "I don't know that there's an easy resolution here," she said.

A long-range plan that resolves the conflict between the competing interests is needed, said Mrs Llodra.

While it is FirstLight's business to produce electricity, the recreational aspects of Lake Zoar are very important, she added.