Facts about Sears Island Submitted to Searsport Selectmen

Submitted to Searsport Selectmen April 16, 2024 by Chris Buchanan

Facts about Sears Island and Searsport:

1. A very large percentage of Searsport residents polled prefer Mack Point for a potential off-shore wind manufacturing, assembly, and launching port. Note the petition delivered April 2, 2024, that had 260 signatures gathered in 10 hours.

2. The Maine Port Authority has stated that Mack Point is a suitable location to meet Maine’s goal of developing a ~3.0 GW commercial off-shore wind port. Multiple engineering reports contracted by both the Maine Department of Transportation and Sprague Energy also demonstrate suitability with minimal environmental impacts, address worker safety, avoid port congestion, identify room for expansion if needed, and remediate old fossil fuel infrastructure.

3. There is a lack of information and transparency about why Governor Mills and the Maine Department of Transportation chose Sears Island as its preferred site, as the reasons stated in their press release are inconsistent with the engineering reports listed above. The State has disregarded our town by neglecting to communicate with this Selectboard, or the primary landowner of Mack Point, Sprague Energy, throughout this decision-making process.

4. Maine’s Climate Council, an advisory group created to guide state policy decisions, has stated that they value transparency and local decision-making regarding siting decisions.

5. Governor Mill’s decision to use Sears Island as the State’s “preferred site” seems rushed and reckless. The State has not yet considered Sprague’s 2023 Appledore Engineering Report, is not using updated dredging numbers from the Moffatt and Nichols updated 2023 report in their communications with lawmakers, or completed an Environmental Impact Study for Sears Island.

6. Although we do not have an environmental impact study, in 1995 the Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service agencies agreed on the ecological significance of Sears Island compared to Mack Point. They stated a proposed terminal on Sears island “would cause significant degradation of waters of the United States.” Intact mature forests, wetlands, and dunes on the Island sequester carbon needed for future climate resilience. The waters off of the Island are significant for marine life, and play a vital role in the health of the entire Penobscot Bay. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report shows that retaining intact ecosystems are more useful in curbing harmful changes in our climate than wind projects. So if we develop a port, it should be on industrial land.

7. Sears Island is the largest undeveloped Island in the State of Maine. It offers a magnitude of free coastal access that has been lost to development everywhere else. It is a treasure for Searsport to host this Island. Working people have used the Island for generations as a respite from work and home. It brings a unique wealth to our town and the entire region as the Island and surrounding waters attract hunters, birders, tourists, and anyone who loves the outdoors. These people also use our downtown businesses. A Friends of Sears Island study showed that the majority of the over 300 people surveyed would frequent Sears Island far less if ANY development of the Island took place. That survey also showed those people that visited the island also visited our shops. Our downtown is almost done being torn up from construction. We should use all of our assets to contribute to our economic vitality.

8. More and more people use Sears Island every year. Removing up to ⅓ of the beach from public access would, over time, cause degradation and lower the quality of the conservation parcel.

9. Pursuing port development at Sears Island promises to invite litigation, as detailed in a letter from the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. Lawsuits would tie up potential jobs for years, and may kill the off-shore wind port altogether. Taking sides may spark conflict, pitting Searsport residents against each other for a long time. This would be largely avoided by protecting the Island.

10. The Islesboro Select Board wrote a statement in 2023 requesting that the state give preference to Mack Point for off-shore wind development, so we have regional support.

11. A joint study by the University of Vermont, Cambridge University, and other institutions looked at 62 sites worldwide and concluded that the economic benefits of protecting or restoring nature is greater than the value of developing it. Leaving Sears Island undeveloped, and promoting the preservation of the entire Island, would be an overall benefit to Searsport.