Searsport Residents Bring Concerns about Wind-Port to Selectboard
Citizens to Protect Sears Island
Tuesday, April 16, 6pm
Union Hall, above the Town Office
3 Reservoir Street, Searsport ME 04974
Residents of Searsport, Maine, are organizing themselves to protect what many call “the best part” of their hometown- Sears Island. Sears Island, just east of downtown, provides over 900 acres of free public access to mature forests, wetlands, dunes, and beaches in the middle of Penobscot Bay. It has been a respite for people for generations, and was important to the Penobscot Nation.
For decades, it has endured attempts at development. Each time they fail because of public outcry, and a recognition of the ecological significance of the land and waters surrounding the Island. In a 1995 letter the Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service stated a proposed terminal on Sears island “would cause significant degradation of waters of the United States,” causing the Maine Department of Transportation (MEDOT) to finally withdraw its permit for port development.
The current proposal by MEDOT and the Governor’s Office calls for the removal of one of three naturally formed sand dunes on Sears Island so that over 1.2 million cubic yards of soil may be bulldozed into the ocean, creating a new 25 acre tarmac off of the Island for an experimental Off-Shore Wind manufacturing, assembling, and launching port. In addition, at least 100 acres of forest and forested wetland will be impacted.
Local residents are expected to deliver a letter to the Searsport Selectboard, asking them to write to the Governor and MEDOT about giving preference to developing Mack Point instead, so that the environment and cultural benefits of a wholly undeveloped island are preserved, while still bringing jobs to the area.
Sprague Energy, Mack Point’s primary landowner, has a detailed engineering plan for building the wind facility at the industrial site with minimal dredging adjacent to the existing federally maintained canal, that the State has not yet considered. In a presentation, Sprague’s President said they have addressed concerns about dock location, as well as shipping traffic in the federal canal. Also, MEDOT’s own engineering study identified additional lands adjacent to Mack Point for expansion, if needed.
“I don’t understand why the Governor is pursuing this development on Sears Island,” said Chris Buchanan, a Searsport resident and volunteer with the new campaign, Citizens to Protect Sears Island. “Everything they need for a full commercial wind port has already been delineated at Mack Point. We can have the Island, which is a real State treasure, and off-shore wind. If the State keeps focusing on Sears Island, potential jobs will be tied up in litigation for years, and the off-shore wind boat might sail.” He said. “Three generations of our family use that Island. The nicest part is the area they want to develop. It will do harm to the entire bay. Renewable energy can be done without bulldozing intact ecosystems. There is an industrial port that needs to be remediated directly across the bay, and Sprague seems to be a willing partner. The State is not providing enough information, and the information that comes out doesn’t line up with the engineering reports.”
The selectboard is expected to discuss, and possibly take action on the letter, Tuesday April 16. The meeting starts at 6pm.
