A New Maine Law

A new Maine law banning nonwater-dependent floating structures on inland waterways is forcing owners Dan and Michelle Oram to remove their custom-built floating camp from the Androscoggin River.A new Maine law banning nonwater-dependent floating structures on inland waterways is forcing a family to remove their floating camp from the Androscoggin River.

TOPSHAM, Maine — Terry Stackhouse

A Maine family is being forced to remove their floating camp from the Androscoggin River near Route 1 due to a new state law banning nonwater-dependent floating structures on inland waterways.

Dan and Michelle Oram, longtime Topsham residents now living in Lisbon Falls, have cherished their floating camp for over a decade. Dan, who has worked in construction for 35 years, built the structure himself, starting with a pontoon boat and transforming it into a camp with a small kitchen, bedroom, and living space.

“Almost everything you see was something that I already had or that we acquired over time and just saved. So this really cost us nothing,” Dan Oram said.

The camp has been a unique retreat for the Orams.

“We can’t afford waterfront property. Now we have waterfront property,” Dan said.

However, the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) recently informed the Orams that their floating camp meets the definition of a “nonwater-dependent floating structure,” which is prohibited under a new law passed by the state legislature.

“I was told Monday I have seven days to remove it from the river,” Dan said.

The DMR notified the Orams that they are in violation of the new law and must move the camp by next Wednesday to avoid a fine.

The camp has been a source of comfort and joy for the family over the past 11 summers.

“I think if we didn’t have this, we wouldn’t be as happy as we are, because now we have a place to go,” Dan said.

“It feels like you’re disconnecting from the rest of the world, even for a little while,” Michelle said.

While the camp is being removed for now, the memories made aboard continue to buoy the Orams as they navigate what comes next.

Why the Camp Must Be Removed

• New State Law: Maine enacted a ban on nonwater-dependent floating structures on inland lakes and rivers to prevent pollution, congestion, and unregulated private use of public waters.
• Lack of Motor: The Orams’ camp, built by Dan Oram over a pontoon boat base, lacks a motor, classifying it as a non-compliant structure rather than a traditional boat.
• Enforcement Notice: The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) informed the family they were in violation and required them to pull the camp out of the water to avoid fines.
• 11 Summers on the River: The family had moored their self-made retreat on the Androscoggin River between Brunswick and Topsham for over a decade.