Maine's Waters Face Issues from Floating Camps

Maine is grappling with an increasing number of “floating camps” that are cluttering its waterways, creating a complex bureaucratic challenge for authorities. Unlike houseboats, these structures lack motors, placing them in a legal gray area that complicates removal efforts. While they may seem charming and provide rental income for their owners, these floating camps pose significant environmental risks, including pollution, congestion at public docks, and obstructed views for shoreline homeowners, as reported by the Bangor Daily News. State agencies have long recognized the issues posed by these floating camps, which are often tethered to land or anchored in place. However, the ambiguity surrounding their legal status has made it difficult to determine which agency holds the authority to address the problem. A report issued over two years ago highlighted the urgent need to define and regulate these non-water-dependent structures to safeguard Maine’s waterways, yet little progress has been made. The regulatory landscape is further complicated by the fact that the jurisdiction over the bottoms of lakes and ponds differs from that of the water itself, with water quality oversight falling under yet another agency. This fragmented governance has resulted in a situation where no single entity is empowered to remove the floating camps, leaving the problem unresolved. To effectively tackle this issue, the report suggests that a consensus must be reached to ban floating camps, accompanied by a clear prohibition to facilitate enforcement. Without decisive action, Maine’s waterways will continue to be burdened by these unauthorized structures.