Aug 9, 2025
Aug 4, 2025
Bay History 1998
Maine DEP Investigates.On April 16,1998, John Sowles, (then Maine DEP's marine ecologist) did a tour of these flats and shore areas 4/16/98 with Lee Doggett, (another MDEP ecologist), the Searsport clam warden, and Penobscot Bay Watch volunteers Herb Hoche, Ron Huber and Peter McFarland. Sowles describes these two places in a May 7, 98 email to MDEP land and water quality staffer Clarissa Trasko as thus.
"The sediment itself is a discolored off white creamy color in small patches up to a meter square. Just under the surface, over an area comprising about an acre, similar discolored sediment is found. Overall depths of the discolored material varied from a few millimeters to several (10) centimeters. Below the discolored material, a typical anoxic (black) sediment is found. The texture of the discolored material is similar to mud/silt,having a high water content.
"The origin of the material is probably from historic spills and slumping banks and chemical piles .An eroding slumping enbankment is immediately landward of the altered flat. This is filled land, and according to Alec [Alec Horth, then-manager of the General Alum plant], contains a creamy/light rose colored bauxite. Presumably the beach and flat contains this same material."
Read Field Investigation Reports by John Sowles and by Lee Doggett
While the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has occasionally levied fines on the company, hyperacidic discharges, and erosion of tailings into what was once one ofPenobscot Bay's best clamflats continued.
Conservation Law Foundation weighs in. On October 3, 2001 Conservation Law Foundation filed a notice of intent to sue General ALUM (GAC) for past and ongoing violations of the federal Aclean Water Act. A year later, 10/9/02, CLF reached a settlement with GAC Chemical Corporation
Attorney Fleming noted that the company's spill containment protocols continue to be insufficient. On April 19th and 20th, he noted, the company spilled 800 gallon sulfuric acid into Penobscot Bay.
Fleming said that CLF's examination of pollution concerns at the General Alum site followed a 1998 investigation by area watchdog group Penobscot Bay Watch that led to the company having to remove thousands of gallons of oily wastes from a crumbling catchbasin perched a few feet away from Penobscot Bay.
Jul 24, 2025
1. pH and Plastic Degradation:
1. pH and Plastic Degradation:
- Research indicates that acidic and alkaline pH levels are more aggressive to plastic materials than neutral pH. This means that the breakdown of plastic sheeting into microplastics will be more rapid under acidic or alkaline conditions.
- The degradation process is related to the corrosion of plastic materials, which is influenced by pH. When pH is high or low, the chemical reactions that cause plastic breakdown are accelerated.
- .As plastic waste decomposes in landfills, it can fragment and release microplastics into the surrounding environment.
- .Microplastics can leach into soil, groundwater, and surface water, potentially contaminating these resources.
- .Microplastics have the ability to absorb pollutants from the environment, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other organic compounds. This means that microplastics can act as vectors for spreading pollutants.
- .The presence of microplastics and their associated pollutants can negatively impact various ecosystems, including coastal and marine environments.
- .Microplastics can be ingested by organisms, including humans, and may have potential health implications.
- .The decomposition of plastics in landfills releases greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.
- Improving waste management practices and reducing plastic consumption can help minimize the amount of plastic entering landfills and the subsequent release of microplastics.
- Implementing sustainable practices, such as reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics, can help address the issue of microplastic pollution.
- Continued research into the effects of microplastics and the development of innovative solutions for their management are crucial.
Jul 8, 2025
Kidder's Point , Searsport ME news media coverage 1905 - 1968
This began in the 1960s due to its sheltered position at the Penobscot River/Bay interface, This harbor hosted a myriald of wildlif in that mixing atreas
1900s
1905 11/02/1905 Capt Nichols appted agent & treasurer Knyvetta & American shipping Co. at Kidder's Pt office. Republican Journal
1906
July 1, 1906 Along the Seaport Railroad Industrial Journal
August 16, 1906. Along the Seaport Railroad Republican Journal
Sept 20. 1906 The NM Seaport RR Terminal Republican Journal
1907
Development of Searsport and Stockton Springs Jan 18, 1907. Sun-Journal
1908
April 17,1908. At the Terminal. BDN
October 22, 1908_1st_steamboat To Kidder's Pt. Republican Journal
1909
July 24 1909 Pen Bay Steamer Silver Star Bangor - Kidders Pt BDN
Bangor & Aroostook RR new trips to Kidder's Pt. The Commercial unknown exact date
1920s
1924
Nov 13 1924 Abandoned Kidder's Pt dock to be reused BDN
Nov 16, 1924 B&A Railroad to use Kidder's Point. PPH
Nov 23, 1924 Abandoned idder's Point Dock to beused by B&A RR BDN
Dec 23, 1924 Kidder's Pt Docks
1925
Sept 9, 2025 Liquor shipment seized. Arrived at Kidder's Ptd
1926
https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/kidders_pt/kp_1920s/1926_120826_bdn_.jpg
July 19, 1926 Steamer Aaro brings fertilizer to Kidder's Pt. PPH
1930s
1931
Oct 13, 1931 The Commercial . Aroostook Potatoes again to be shipped by the water route
1934
Aug 5 1934 Evening Express two foreign steamers bring phosphate to Searsport
August 18, 1934 Ships Delfshaven & Vaga bring phosphates to Kidder's Pt.
Aug 27 1934 Evening Express Kidder's Point phosphate arrives
Sept 23, 1934 Evening Express Norwegian freighter brings phosphate to Kidders's Point.
1936
Jan 24 1936 Shipping News Barge transfers fertilizer Kidder's Pt to Mack's Pt BDN
1938
January 31, 1938 Evening Express Danish ship Viola brings "full cargo" of fertilizer to Kidder's Pt
July 19, 1838 Evening Express Steamer Aaro brings 'fertilizer' to Kidders Pt
July 19, 1938 2,200 tons Fertilizer off loads at Kidders Pt for Summer's Fertilizer company PPH
1939
1940s
1941
Sept 11, 1941 Steamer Monroe Unloads fertilizer at Summer's Fertilizer, Kidder's Pt.
1944_
Jan 31 1944. K.J. _Summers Fertilizer to build new superphosphate plant
Jan 31, 1944 Evening Express,. New Searsport Fertilizer plant to open in July
Aug 5, 1944 BDN Northern Chemical seeks employees
Sept 12, 1944_BDN Summers Fertilizer seeks men .
Sept 27, 1944_KJ. New plant makes first sulphuric acid in Maine
Oct 2944_BDN Summers Fertilizer free workers bus
Nov 17, 1944_BDN Northern Chem, Summers Fert seek workers
1949
May 12, 1949. The Commercial. B&A RR expansion Kidders Pt
1950s
1955
May 6, 1955 Lewiston Daily Sun $650,000 Acid plant for Searsport
May 16, 1955 Chemical Firm to build second Searsport plant
Nov 10. 1955 BDN $650,000 plant being planned for Searsport
Nov 10, 1955 BDN 31st anniversary of Stockton Springs dock fire
Nov 10, 1955 BDN. Air Force asks Searsport fuel depot, pipeline to Limestone
1960s
1963
Aug 20, 1963 bay sport fisheries BDN
1964
Feb 28,1964 State closes Stockton Harbor shellfishery Feb-April
1966
Oct 26, 1966 new Searsport pier pt 1
1968
Jan 27, 1968 Chemical Firm WR Grace serves Industry
[TO BE CONTINUED]
Jun 10, 2025
GAC 2024 permit by rule collapsing elevated insulated pipeline
* Site Map
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_030.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_083024_sos_cec_corp_summary_3pgs.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_dep_062524_.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_gac_083024_pbr_signed_app_2pgs.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_gac_2014_1_cvr_2pg.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_gac_2014_2_102814_location_map.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_gac_2014_3_pbr_app_052814_3pgs_.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_gac_mdep_correspondence_1.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_hayley_ward_dep_083024_2pgs.pdf
* https://www.penbay.org/baytowns/searsport/gac_2025/hw/gac_2024_hayley_ward_pbr_area_map.pdf
*
Jun 7, 2025
Belfast Marine Institute Article June 5, 2025 Midcoast Villager
The Floating Classroom
At Belfast Area High School, students get their feet wet — literally — exploring local marine ecosystems and careers.
Students involved with the Belfast Marine Institute receive SCUBA training. Teacher Chip Lagerbom, foreground, captains their boat.
BELFAST — They've seeded a kelp farm, built a high-tech buoy sensor array, and scuba dived to retrieve the bones from a minke whale carcass on the sea floor.
They're not marine biologists, but local students with the Belfast Marine Institute, part of the curriculum at Belfast Area High School.
Students from the Belfast Marine Institute operate one of the program's ROVs.
Call it innovative, alternative, progressive or simply programmatic workforce training, BMI offers students unique opportunities to explore both Maine's marine ecosystems and potential careers in its heritage waterfront economy.
“It’s really different from traditional school,” says Belfast senior Lucas Newsome, who in engineering class last year helped assemble, test, and deploy the sensor-packed buoy for the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition.
"I like to build stuff," he said. "I don’t think you can do something like that anywhere else."
Belfast Area High School teacher Chip Lagerbom shows a sensor that was constructed and placed in Belfast Harbor by students in Belfast Marine Institute.
BMI isn’t a science, math or history class. It’s not a field trip, internship or apprenticeship — it's all those combined.
“We call it a floating classroom,” said Chip Lagerbom, a teacher at BAHS and one of several educators responsible for the conception and evolution of BMI. “It’s a multi-disciplinary program and rings the bell in so many ways. You name the field, and we can tie [instruction] to it.”
Belfast Marine Institute, at its core, is the study of the marine environment. It was developed nearly 20 years ago by Lagerbom and Dave Thomas, who decided to co-teach the marine science course after he retired from daily teaching. With that pairing, BMI was conceived.
“Some of the other teachers saw what we were doing and wanted to get involved,” Thomas said.
Students involved with the Belfast Marine Institute map a shipwreck on the Passagassawakeag River.
Lagerbom said he and Thomas asked fellow educators to introduce something marine-related into their curriculum to assist with the BMI mission. Over time, more and more Belfast High educators tied at least some of their curriculum to a marine-related subject.
“We found it was a great mesh,” Lagerbom said. “The marine approach can appeal to any kid, with any interest — at any level.”
Then, in 2021, the program grew to a new level.
After winning a grant from the National Science Foundation, BMI was able to purchase a wet lab, lines, anchors, and training programs to seed and manage a kelp farm. Over the past five years the group has deployed more grant funding to purchase a pair of underwater remotely operated vehicles and a 21-foot skiff named Sea Lion.
"For students who live along the coast," Lagerbom said, "they get to not only see, but experience and participate in career opportunities available right here in Maine.”
Currently, BMI is managing a small sugar kelp farm operation in Belfast Bay. The kelp they produce is food grade and students learn not just to grow it, but about processing, marketing and selling their product.
They learn to dry and process the kelp, which can be used in food processing for seasoning, thickening and nutritional supplementation — and is gaining popularity as a snack food unto itself.
“If we get to the point where we can produce over 10 tons, and I think we can, then a vendor will buy it," Lagerbom said.
He also dreams of a day when BMI sugar kelp can sold widely in the community.
“I’d like to take some of this kelp and introduce it to the local restaurant community,” he said. “How cool would that be — to become part of the menu at one of these places? I think that’s one of our next connections."
Belfast High School teacher Chip Lagerbom helps a student process sugar kelp that was harvested by the Belfast Marine Institute.
And BMI has connections. Partnerships, past and present, include the National Science Foundation, the University of Maine, Maine STEM, the Rise Foundation, and Belfast Harbormaster Kathy Given.
“We’ve found that everyone we approach in the community is very helpful, very accommodating,” Lagerbom said.
The program's objectives are ambitious and far-reaching: Preparing students to be stewards of the Penobscot Bay Watershed; introducing students to potential marine-related scientific and technological careers; helping to identify and solve coastal issues through student-led research; developing appreciation and awareness of marine resources; and creating opportunities for students to participate in scientific data collection and sampling.
The program combines traditional classroom learning with real-world, hands-on, career-related experience on the ocean.
“We’ve figured out this is an entirely new pathway for some kids who don’t fit into the traditional model of learning,” Lagerbom said. “It also gets them out from behind their desks and — literally — get their feet wet.”
Students involved with the Belfast Marine Institute at Belfast Area High School undergo survival suit training in the school's pool.
BMI students receive training in water safety in the pool at Belfast Area High School and some get scuba training.
Both were necessary last summer when the group dove on — and collected — the bones of a deceased minke whale from the harbor in Belfast. The group obtained permission from Given, the harbormaster, and the University of Maine to collect the bones for research, a process that is ongoing.
Some students have oriented their education around BMI.
“I came to [Belfast] because of the Marine Institute,” said senior Felix Duggan, who attended the Maine Ocean School in Searsport, an experimental magnate school, until it closed a few years ago. “There are so many options, and they have some really intelligent people working with the group.”
Photo of a crab taken by one of Belfast Marine Institute's remotely operated vehicles. The program used grant funding to purchase the ROV.
Some students, like senior Triston Hughes, say they are pursuing marine-related higher education thanks to the "solid base" of experience he thinks BMI gave him.
In addition to using their buoy to test water quality for the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition, BMI has set up a weather station for the Belfast harbormaster. Students have also mapped out areas of Belfast that are prone to flooding. And they're currently performing sediment and wave calculations regarding the Belfast breakwater.
“Projects come from all over — they just fall into our laps,” said Lagerbom, smiling. “The students aren’t just gaining marine and literacy skills; they’re also helping the community.”
One major area of increasing focus is aquaculture, which Maine leaders view as a strategically vital industry to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.
“Aquaculture represents a promising opportunity to create new jobs, strengthen and diversify our economy, and expand Maine’s reputation as a premier destination for seafood,” Gov. Janet Mills said during a roundtable with sea farmers earlier this year.
Lagerbom said the group is exploring potential aquaculture projects relating to eel grass, sea slugs, urchins and scallops.
And teachers seem to be having as much fun as their students.
“There’s just this great energy around BMI,” said Lagerbom. “I’m in the final arc of my teaching career and this has really rejuvenated me.”
