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Apr 28, 2012

Upper Penobscot Penobscot Bay's larval & juvenile cod: key to restoring the GOM's inshore groundfishery

Larval Cod
Penobscot Bay's upper estuary is one of the key generators of juvenile Atlantic cod for the Gulf of Maine . The ecological health of those waters is vital to the restoration of coastal cod schools to  healthy  levels .

Learn below about  the life and times of this very vulnerable stage of our atlantic cod.

Nearshore Habitats: Sanctuary for Juvenile Cod 2008/24-06 DFO
"In its first few months as a juvenile cod, the survival rate increases by 17,000 times if the the cod settles into an eelgrass bed."

Transport of Cod Eggs and larva on coastal currents UNH 

Proposal for a Habitat Area of Particular Concern for Juvenile Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) in the Nearshore Waters of the Gulf of Maine Prepared by New England Fishery Management Council's Essential Fish Habitat Technical Team (Excerpted from the 1999 Habitat Annual Review Report)

Specific Dynamic Action, Growth and Development in Larval Atlantic Cod, Gadus Morhua Jessica A. Geubtner 12-1-2003 

Larval cod eat softbodied protozoans until their jaws develop. Learn about this little known part of the Penobscot Bay's foodweb:the  microbes
:
The Protozooplankton–Ichthyoplankton Trophic Link: An Overlooked Aspect of Aquatic Food Webs 2010 DAVID J. S. MONTAGNES, a JOHN F. DOWER b and GISELA M. FIGUEIREDO c

Ichthyoplankon amoebas (google search)

J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2010 May-Jun;57(3):223-8. Epub 2010 Apr 7. The protozooplankton-ichthyoplankton trophic link: an overlooked aspect of aquatic food webs. Montagnes DJ, Dower JF, Figueiredo GM. Source School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom. dmontag@liv.ac.uk

The abundance of marine naked amoebae in the water column of the Clyde estuary Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (February 1992), 34 (2), pg. 187-196 Andrew Rogerson; Johanna Laybourn-Parry

Juvenile cod
Interactions Between Metazoans and Large, Agglutinating Protozoans: Implications for the Community Structure of Deep-Sea Benthos 1 L I SA A NN L E V IN Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8208http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x1560874506/Warm-waters-affecting-lobsters









Apr 26, 2012

Army Corps of Engineers: No public hearing on controversial LPG tank proposal in Searsport

The Army Corps of Engineers will not hold a  public hearing on the controversial plan by DCP Midstream to build and operate a 22 million dollar liquified petroleum terminal and tankfarm on forested wetlands within the Mack Point Forest perched above Searsport Harbor's Long Cove.

This was announced in an April 24, 2012 letter postal mailed to interested parties by Jay Clement of the Corps' Maine Projects Office. The letter was accompanied by a 5 page "Determination of Need"  signed by  Deputy District Engineer Steven M. Howell.. See original letter & Determination here

The decision means the Corps of Engineers will rely on the information  sent it by opponents and supporters of the 22 million gallon tank to make its decision on whether to allow the flattening and paving over of nearly all of the 30 acre Mack Point Forest  and the installation there of New England's biggest liquified petroleum tank

The Determination of Need noted that the Corps of Engineers would continue to accept written and emailed comments up to the day it makes its final decision.

 Lt Col Howell wrote that the Corps decided not to hold a public hearing: "because through the Corps public comment process, we have sufficient information to adequately evaluate the issues relating to the proposed activity".   Clement wrote  "We are now conducting a final review of this project to determine whether issuance of a permit is in the overall public interest."

Howell wrote that the Corps received  211 letters or emails in opposition to the DCP project, and 135 in support of the DCP project.  22 of the opponents' letters included requests that the Corps hold public hearings 


He wrote that tank opponents raised 19 issues, while supporters raised seven.


How summarized opponents issues as
1.) Wetlands. The project will permanently impact aquatic resources on site
including wetlands that serve important functions and values. The proposed
compensatory mitigation is insufficient to address the project’s wetland impact. There
was also some question whether the scope of wetland impact was accurately described.

2.) Wildlife. There is important wildlife habitat that will be adversely affected by
clearing and development of the site.

3.) Tidal resources. The project could adversely affect intertidal and sub-tidal
resources within Long Cove including lobsters, shellfish beds, and eelgrass. The project
could have further reaching effects to marine resources and fishing in Penobscot Bay.

4.) Historic properties. There could be archeological or historic sites on site that
will be adversely affected by the development. There are historic properties within the
community that are threatened by increased truck traffic or a catastrophe

5.) Safety. The presence of a tank of this size, just off Route l poses a safety
risk, particularly in the event of a catastrophic fire or explosion. Increased truck traffic in
the area could threaten public safety. Local emergency responders are ill equipped to
handle an emergency of any magnitude.

6.) Pollution. The operation of the facility will result in air, water, noise, and
light pollution. This is particularly relevant to the proposed emergency flare.

7.) Aesthetics. The size and height of the tank and appurtenant facilities will
adversely affect the views from Route l, Sears Island, and nearby communities. There
will be insufficient buffers to the site. Is there a long-term plan for decommissioning and
removal of the tank? ‘

8.) Economics. The limited number of jobs created by the facility will not
mitigate for the anticipated loss of tourist dollars and economic impact to the community

and surrounding region. Increased truck traffic could adversely affect local businesses.
A request was made for an economic study of the impact of the project.

9.) Geotechnical. There is a geologic fault in the area that could present a safety
hazard to the proposed tank.

10.) Sears Island. The passive recreational use of Sears Island could be adversely
affected by further industrialization of Mack Point. There were multiple references to the
construction of the Sears Island Causeway by the Corps and its impact to marine
resources.

11.) Traffic. The project could result in an excessive increase in truck traffic in
the region with associated degradation of existing roads and quality of life. Rail traffic
could also increase.

I2.) Security. The presence of the proposed tank could attract terrorists. An
attack on the tank could cause catastrophic fire or explosion. This factor, plus
exacerbating our dependency on foreign supplies of fossil fuels, may adversely affect
National Security. There was an objection to imports of propane from countries like
Afghanistan.

13.) Navigation/Recreation. Recreational and commercial boaters currently
using Searsport Harbor and surrounding waters could be adversely affected by LPG
vessels at anchor and their associated security zones.

14.) Property values. The presence of the tank and associated operations in the
community could result in a lowering of property values.

15.) Need. There is insufficient demand for propane in Maine and ample supply
such that the project is not necessary.

16.) Industrialization. The tank facility adds to the overall industrialization of
Mack Point and could lead to future industrialization in the area.

17.) General Environmental Impact. An Environmental Impact Statement and
full NEPA review should be performed by the Corps.

18.) Scope of Environmental Review. The Corps should consider the entire
facility, not just the fill of wetlands, in its NEPA review.

19.) Compliance. There was some reference to the environmental and safety
 compliance track record of the applicant and the industry in general elsewhere in the
country.

Howell summarized supporters' issues as :

1.) Jobs. The development will create much needed construction and operations
jobs. Operation of the facility will also result in secondary economic benefit to the
community and the region.

2.) Gas supply. The project will result in a more reliable and stable propane
supply for Maine consumers.

3.) Fuel source. Propane constitutes a cleaner alternative to traditional heating oil
and is an important element of Maine’s energy mix.

4.) Mack Point. It is appropriate to site such a facility at Mack Point, already an
Industrialized site.

5.) Traffic. The increase in traffic from the project will be inconsequential.

6.) Water. The applicant will facilitate improvements to the municipal water
system that will benefit the entire community (The Searsport Water District).

7.) Natural Areas. There are no rare botanical features that will be disturbed by
the project (Maine Dept. of Conservation, Natural Areas Program)

WHAT NEXT?   .
Write the Corps! According to Howell, "The Corps will consider relevant new information or circumstances  that may arise  prior to a final decision on the permit application."

It you have  relevant new information about what is threatened by the proposal or know of  circumstances  that may arise that make it nonsensical for this LPG tank to be set up in Searsport, the Corps wants to know. Write or email to Jay Clement: with your info 

Jay Clement   
US Army Corps of Engineers
Maine Project Office 
675 Western Avenue #3 
Manchester, Maine 04351
207-623-8367
jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil











Apr 22, 2012

Stockton Springs Hazardous Spills. 1983 to 2012

Maine DEP's  Bureau of Remediation & Waste Management maintains the HOSS  database of reported hazardous waste spills The Hazardous & Oil Spill System Online Report Service, uploaded by  (More about HOSS)
Click Spill Numbers for links to DEP's response to each spill. This is the Stockton Springs list
Spill NumberReport DateTown/MCDLocationSpill TypeTank Type
B-85-1983May 23, 1983STOCKTON SPRINGSWESTBOUND DITCH OF...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-57-1984Mar 27, 1984STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-89-1985May 14, 1985STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-133-1986May 1, 1986STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-245-1986Jul 7, 1986STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-239-1987Jun 26, 1987STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-278-1987Jul 30, 1987STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-468-1987Dec 30, 1987STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-75-1988Mar 7, 1988STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-289-1988Jul 12, 1988STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-566-1988Dec 9, 1988STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-496-1989Aug 24, 1989STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-593-1989Sep 30, 1989STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-773-1989Dec 30, 1989STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-420-1990Jul 20, 1990STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-43-1991Jan 18, 1991STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-476-1991Jul 29, 1991STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-483-1991Aug 6, 1991STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-525-1991Aug 20, 1991STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-136-1992Apr 2, 1992STOCKTON SPRINGSNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-732-1992Dec 18, 1992STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-163-1993Apr 9, 1993STOCKTON SPRINGSFORT POWNAL TREND MAIN STOil IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-489-1993Aug 30, 1993STOCKTON SPRINGSOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-313-1994Jun 6, 1994STOCKTON SPRINGSSURFACE OIL REPORST...Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-465-1994Aug 11, 1994STOCKTON SPRINGSJOHNSON'S PIT HARRIS RDOil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified


Spill NumberReport DateTown/MCDLocationSpill TypeTank Type
B-720-1994Nov 23, 1994STOCKTON SPRINGSLITTLEFIELD, WALTER...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-410-1995Jul 26, 1995STOCKTON SPRINGSMYSTERY CONTAMINATION...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-105-1996Feb 23, 1996STOCKTON SPRINGSRT 1Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-644-1996Nov 22, 1996STOCKTON SPRINGSROUTE 1-NEXT TO...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-108-1997Mar 1, 1997STOCKTON SPRINGSFRENCH, SELMA RR 1 BOX...Oil IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-232-1997May 14, 1997STOCKTON SPRINGSPETERSON 1030 CAPE ROADNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-312-1997Jun 21, 1997STOCKTON SPRINGSPINE POLLEN PENOBSCOT BAYNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-554-1997Oct 1, 1997STOCKTON SPRINGSPERRY'S ROUTE 1Oil IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-232-1998Apr 8, 1998STOCKTON SPRINGSUNOCCUPIED RESIDENCE...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-621-1998Sep 21, 1998STOCKTON SPRINGSJOHNSON, MR. ROBERT...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-667-1999Oct 19, 1999STOCKTON SPRINGSCMP TRANSFORMER /...Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-212-2000Apr 13, 2000STOCKTON SPRINGSDITCH ON SANDY POINT...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-348-2000Jun 28, 2000STOCKTON SPRINGSJOHNSON PIT HARRIS RD.Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-369-2000Jul 13, 2000STOCKTON SPRINGSPERKINS, GEORGE ROUTE...Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-580-2000Oct 25, 2000STOCKTON SPRINGSWAYNE SHERMAN...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-621-2000Nov 22, 2000STOCKTON SPRINGSUNKNOWN VANDALS @...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-650-2000Dec 5, 2000STOCKTON SPRINGSSTAATSVURG...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-497-2001Sep 7, 2001STOCKTON SPRINGSBISHOP, RONALD RT 1...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-262-2002Apr 26, 2002STOCKTON SPRINGSTREND STORE MAIN STNon-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentUnderground Tank(s) Involved
B-134-2003Mar 29, 2003STOCKTON SPRINGSROGER RUPE OLD COUNTY RDOil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-521-2003Oct 16, 2003STOCKTON SPRINGSPOLE 16 SANDY POINT RDOil IncidentNone
B-194-2004Apr 19, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSCHRISTOPHER OLSEN 104...Oil IncidentNone
B-200-2004Apr 20, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSGRAVEL PIT RT 1Oil IncidentNone
B-317-2004Jun 23, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSCMP - POLE 710.5...Oil IncidentNone
B-439-2004Jul 27, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSMDOT VEHICLE RTS 1 & 1AOil IncidentNone

Spill NumberReport DateTown/MCDLocationSpill TypeTank Type

B-440-2004Aug 16, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSFORT POINT STATE PARK...Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentNone
B-561-2004Oct 18, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSMICHAEL JOHNSON 84...Oil IncidentUnknown/Unspecified
B-644-2004Nov 23, 2004STOCKTON SPRINGSDANA LAGASSE...Oil IncidentNone
B-614-2005Oct 17, 2005STOCKTON SPRINGSMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT...Oil IncidentNone
B-740-2005Dec 13, 2005STOCKTON SPRINGSMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT...Oil IncidentNone
B-463-2006Aug 1, 2006STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Underground Tank(s) Involved
B-152-2007Mar 29, 2007STOCKTON SPRINGSJANE SNYDER 405 OLD...Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentNone
B-372-2007Jul 19, 2007STOCKTON SPRINGSRAILWAY SCHOOL STOil IncidentNone
B-505-2007Sep 22, 2007STOCKTON SPRINGSROCKY RIDGE PARK...Hazardous Material IncidentNone
B-634-2007Nov 28, 2007STOCKTON SPRINGSPOLE #4 LAMPFARE ROADOil IncidentNone
B-128-2008Mar 9, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSSANTOS RESIDENCE 297...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-193-2008Apr 11, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSSHERRY SULLIVAN...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-310-2008May 31, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSMYSTERY WHITE LUMPY...Non-Oil, Non-Hazardous IncidentNone
B-348-2008Jun 19, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSRICHARD MCNEIL...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-535-2008Sep 5, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSPHIL SANDINE RESIDENCE...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-719-2008Dec 2, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSRESIDENCE 404 RT 1Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-770-2008Dec 27, 2008STOCKTON SPRINGSIRSKINE RESIDENCE 4...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-163-2009Mar 21, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGSCENTRAL MAINE POWER...Oil IncidentNone
B-186-2009Apr 1, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGSPATRICK DOW RESIDENCE...Oil IncidentAbove Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-368-2009Jun 23, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
B-538-2009Sep 18, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
B-587-2009Oct 19, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-597-2009Oct 20, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-626-2009Nov 5, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
B-649-2009Nov 13, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved

Spill NumberReport DateTown/MCDLocationSpill TypeTank Type
B-725-2009Dec 22, 2009STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-241-2010May 5, 2010STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
B-554-2010Oct 18, 2010STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-587-2010Oct 29, 2010STOCKTON SPRINGSCENTRAL MAINE POWER...Oil IncidentNone
B-188-2011Mar 29, 2011STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
B-456-2011Jul 16, 2011STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-650-2011Oct 19, 2011STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---Above Ground Tank(s) Involved
B-73-2012Feb 14, 2012STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
B-81-2012Feb 20, 2012STOCKTON SPRINGS--- Report Pending ---None
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