State & Fed Officials reviewing the Mack Point, Sears Island and No Action Alternatives

Learn about the Federal and state of Maine officials taking part in  review of the Three Searsport Alternatives.   And how to reach them. 

Sears Island v Mack Point FEDERAL AGENCY officials involved 

Sears Island v Mack Point STATE AGENCY officials involved

WHY?  You NEED to know what  info they have about Sears Island. 

They NEED your input to fill  the infomation GAPS they suffer from.

* Note: as of 7/14/24  a lead federal agency has not been chosen

* Note: as of 8/5/24  a lead federal agency has not been chosen,

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Sears Island: Federal officials involved. Contacts and backstories 5/19/24

 Federal Staff involved in 2024 Sears Island Port & Factory Plan

Below are links to the federal officials of  ACOE FHWA, EPA, NOAA , USFWS  presently  awaiting  the release of two  completely different designs for a Maine Windport.

*US Army Corps of Engineers.
Christine Jacek ACOE Christine.M.Jacek@usace.army.mil
 (978) 318-8026,. (800) 343-4789 or (800) 362-4367.

Shawn Mahaney ACOE Waldo County, Maine Project Office
 207-233-3243  978-318-8492 Shawn.B.Mahaney@usace.army.mil

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* Federal Highway Administration
Gary Scholze, FHWA Enviro Specialist,
gary.scholze@dot.gov 207-512-4917
40 Western Ave Rm 614 Augusta ME 04330
FHWA ME office email:  Maine.fhwa@dot.gov. Phone: (207) 622-8350

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* US Environmental Protection Agency Region 1

Region 1 media contacts
Phil Colarusso EPA EELGRASS  

 colarusso.phil@epa.gov  617-918-1506

USEPA REGION 1
5 Post Office Square
Mail Code: 06-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912 

Read Colarusso 2021 testimony to ME legislature  on eelgrass 3/14/21(pdf)

Tim Timmerman EPA NEPA LEAD

 617) 918-1025  Timmermann.Timothy@epa.gov 

Timmerman comments on  Vineyard offshore_windfarm (pdf)_

Alexandra Dwyer,   EPA  PHYSICAL SCIENCES 

617-918-1150  <Dwyer.Alexandra@epa.gov>  

 Former President of Women in Geosciences

Graduated from college in 2022  "Physical scientists study the relationships between matter, energy, and other physical phenomena. "

["In May 2023  ] I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's of Science in Geoscience and a Bachelor's of Arts in Environmental Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS). I am honored to exit HWS as junior-elected member of the Zeta Chapter of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, a Goldwater Scholar, and a former NOAA Hollings Scholar. My experience at the Colleges has been life changing, one that has both allowed and pushed me to become the best version of myself as a thinker, researcher, communicator, colleague, and friend.

The skills that I have gained as a Geoscience Teaching Fellow, an Atmospheric Science Research Assistant, and a research intern for NOAA's National Sea Grant Office would not have been possible without support and opportunity from the Geoscience Department, particularly from Neil Laird and Nicholas Metz.

Looking ahead, I am beyond excited to enter into the world of climate and environmental sustainability, and to begin realizing the impact that I can make. Thank you, thank you, HWS!"

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* NOAA

Kaitlyn Shaw NOAA  (978) 282-8457 <kaitlyn.shaw@noaa.gov> 

Marine Resources Mgmt  Specialist in the  Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division  Gloucester, performs Essential Fish Habitat consultations in the Gulf of Maine."

 YOU TUBE "Coastal Matters" interviews Kaitlyn Shaw 8/7/17  She was then  water resource specialist Town of Nantucket

Kaitlyn Shaw's research interests:  (LinkedIn )

* coastal nutrient enrichment, 

* eutrophication, 

* phytoplankton metabolism, 

* hypoxia, 

* seagrass restoration, 

* shellfish & fish habitat protection.

"Shaw holds a Masters degree in Coastal Systems Science.  Shaw employs the systems approach to ecosystem management and believes that multidisciplinary approaches are crucial to addressing the issues facing riverine, coastal, and marine waterways."

"Her graduate research focused on nutrient related coastal system processes, specifically eutrophication and opportunistic macroalgae habitats."

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* US Fish and Wildlife Service

Patrick Dockens USFWS      Cell  207 460 2566

<patrick_dockens@fws.gov>

Maine Ecological Services Field Office. Ecological Services

306 Hatchery Rd East Orland, ME 04431   (207) 902-1586    

Endangered Species Biologist - Transportation Liason 

Maine Ecological Services Field Office. Ecological Services

306 Hatchery Road East Orland, ME 04431  

 He works with the Federal Highway Administration  FHWA  and its  

FHWA Environmental Tool kit

From his USFWS  Profile: "Patrick Dockens is an endangered species biologist and transportation liaison for the Maine Field Office. He works closely with the MDOT, Federal Highway Administration and Army Corps of Engineers to promote conservation and ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act among others; primarily for transportation related projects.

 Areas of expertise  Transportation projects, ESA consultations"  

Species expertise Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

(Dockens complements  Wende Mahaney,  USFWS's longtime Maine staffer) 

Pat Dockens mentions 

FHWA | Environmental Review Toolkit | Eco-Logical | Eco-Logical Webinar Series

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical/webinars/webinar_05092017.aspxAdministration - Maine Division Patrick Dockens, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eric...207-215-7356 Eric.Ham@maine.gov Patrick Dockens USFWS Maine ...

FHWA | Environmental Review Toolkit | Eco-Logical | Case Study - Maine DOT - Year One Snapshot

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical/documents/Case_Study_MaineDOT_Year2_snapshot.aspx...recovery plan for the species.” - Patrick Dockens, USFWS Maintaining Relationships MaineDOT

FHWA | Environmental Review Toolkit | Eco-Logical | Eco-Logical Webinar Series

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical/webinars/webinar_09192017.aspxCindy Callahan, FHWA biologist Patrick Dockens, USFWS liaison Judy Gates, MaineDOT

FHWA | Environmental Review Toolkit | Eco-Logical | Webinar Series

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical/webinar_series.aspxChase, FHWA-Maine Division Patrick Dockens, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eric

Case_Study_MaineDOT_Year2_snapshot.pdf

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical/documents/Case_Study_MaineDOT_Year2_snapshot.pdf...recovery plan for the species.” – Patrick Dockens, USFWS https://www.maine.gov/mdot

PowerPoint Presentation

https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/env_initiatives/eco-logical/webinars/webinar_05092017.pdfAdministration - Maine Division Patrick Dockens, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eric

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NOAA's Maine coast charts as downloadable pdf files

Easy access to navigational charts of Maine's coastal waters. Right-click on chart # to save or open.
Chart #      Scale

13278	80000	Portsmouth to Cape Ann; Hampton Harbor
13279	20000	Ipswich Bay to Gloucester Harbor; Rockport Harbor
13281	10000	Gloucester Harbor and Annisquam River
13282	20000	Newburyport Harbor and Plum Island Sound
13283	20000	Portsmouth Harbor Cape Neddick Harbor to Isles of Shoals; Portsmouth Harbor
13285	20000	Portsmouth to Dover and Exeter
13286	80000	Cape Elizabeth to Portsmouth; Cape Porpoise Harbor; Wells Harbor; Kennebunk River; Perkins Cove
13287	20000	Saco Bay and Vicinity
13288	80000	Monhegan Island to Cape Elizabeth
13290	40000	Casco Bay
13292	20000	Portland Harbor and Vicinity
13293	40000	Damariscotta, Sheepscot and Kennebec Rivers;South Bristol Harbor;Christmas Cove
13295	15000	Kennebec and Sheepscot River Entrances
13296	15000	Boothbay Harbor to Bath, Including Kennebec River
13297	15000	Kennebec River Courthouse Point to Augusta
13298	15000	Kennebec River Bath to Courthouse Point
13301	40000	Muscongus Bay;New Harbor;Thomaston
13302	80000	Penobscot Bay and Approaches
13303	40000	Approaches to Penobscot Bay
13305	40000	Penobscot Bay;Carvers Harbor and Approaches
13307	20000	Camden, Rockport and Rockland Harbors
13308	15000	Fox Islands Thorofare
13309	40000	Penobscot River;Belfast Harbor
13312	80000	Frenchman and Blue Hill Bays and Approaches
13313	40000	Approaches to Blue Hill Bay
13315	20000	Deer Island Thorofare and Casco Passage
13316	40000	Blue Hill Bay;Blue Hill Harbor
13318	40000	Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert lsland
13321	10000	Southwest Harbor and Approaches
13322	10000	Winter Harbor
13323	10000	Bar Harbor Mount Desert Island
13324	40000	Tibbett Narrows to Schoodic Island
13325	80000	Quoddy Narrows to Petit Manan lsland
13326	40000	Machias Bay to Tibbett Narrows
13392	50000	Grand Manan Channel Southern Part
13394	50000	Grand Manan Channel Northern Part; North Head and Flagg Cove
13396	20000	Campobello Island; Eastport Harbor
13398	50000	Passamaquoddy Bay and St. Croix River; Beaver Harbor; Saint Andrews; Todds Point

NOAA's 5/2/5/16 Northeast Ocean Plan webinar. Audio from event

On May 25, 2016  the Northeast Regional Planning Body, a consortium of ocean interests led by NOAA, held a webinar to unveil their draft Northeast Ocean Plan The following are audio recordings of the webinar's presenters & the Q & A that followed.

PRESENTATIONS
Part 1 intro in progress 5min 48sec

Part 2  Marine database 6min 30sec

Part 3 Updating maps, other actions 8min 40sec

Part 4 Energy and Infrastructure   6min 24 sec

Part 5  Plan administration and oversight   5min 30sec

Part 6 a reaserch priority 3min 13sec

Part 7 Grover Fugate 4min 24sec

QUESTON & ANSWER SESSION
* Q&A part 1. 13 min   * Q&A part 2 10min39sec
]* Q&A part 3 8min 39sec   * Q&A part 4 to end. 10 min
* Q&A full  42 minutes

ABOUT THE PLAN
The plan examines the issues facing the New England offshore Environment, evaluated the the state of regulation over ten top concerns  Marine Life and Habitat,  Cultural Resources* Marine Transportation * National Security * Commercial and Recreational Fishing* Recreation * Energy and Infrastructure, * Aquaculture * Offshore Sand Resources * and Restoration.

The plan  includes  creating an ocean information online portal with information about the above from and of value to  state and federal agency decisionmakers, indian tribes and the New England Fishery Management Council and all other stakeholders.

Maine Port Safety Forum 4/13/16 Audio:mass rescue operations, underwater mapping

Rescued Titanic passengers aboard the Carpathia

On April 13, 2016 the Maine/New Hampshire Port Safety Forum was held in Belfast, Maine 
Topics included a review of  mass rescue operations for passenger vessels, Underwater mapping update by NOAA, and more.  

Here is audio from those two presentations. Recordings of the rest uploaded as time permits

Lt Cdr Meghan McGovern, NOAA Office of Coast Survey 

Latest NOAA underwater mapping projects Penobscot Bay etc 13 minutes

Arn Heggers USCG Preparedness Specialist
* Mass rescue operations Part 1 6min 40sec
* Mass rescue operations Part 2 9min 30sec
* Mass rescue operations Part 3. 4min 2sec


More audio to be uploaded.  check back!

Impacts to Marine Fisheries Habitat from Nonfishing Activities in the NE US. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS-NE-209

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-209

Impacts to Marine Fisheries Habitat 

from Nonfishing Activities 

in the Northeastern United States  

Table of Contents

Preface and Introduction

Chapter One:  Technical Workshop on Impacts to Coastal Fisheries Habitat from Nonfishing Activities

Chapter Two:  Coastal Development

Chapter Three:  Energy-related Activities

Chapter Four: Alteraton of Freshwater Systems

Chapter Five: Marine Transportation

Chapter Six: Offshore Dredging and Disposal Activities

Chapter Seven: Chemical Effects—Water Discharge Facilities

Chapter Eight:  Physical Effects—Water Intake and Discharge Facilities

Chapter Nine: Agricultures and Silviculture

Chapter Ten: Introduced/Nuisance Species and Aquaculture

Chapter Eleven: Global Effects and Other Impacts

Chapter Twelve: Compensatory Mitigation

Conclusions and Recommendations

Appendix: Attendees of Technical Workshop on Impacts to Coastal Fishery Habitat from Nonfishing Activities

January 16th meeting on Ocean Acidification, Augusta Maine - AUDIO

An important Maine Ocean Acidification meeting was held January 16, 2014

from 9am to 430pm at the Governor Hill Mansion, Augusta. Here are recordings of the speakers at the event, and questions from the audience.
Meeting agenda (pdf)

Introduction  11 minutes  Heather Deese & Susie Arnold, Island Institute  

Attendees 3 min 45 sec

Panel 1 introduction
Shallin Busch. NOAA 30 minutes

Joe Salisbury, University of New Hampshire 26 minutes

Joe Payne, Casco Baykeeper, 19 minutes

Professor Mark Green, St Joseph's College & Peaks Isl Shellfish Co. 14min

Bill Mook. Mook Sea Farm, 16 minutes

Curt Brown, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, lobsterman. 10 minutes.

Questions of the First Panel. 6 minutes

PANEL 2

Cassie Stymiest, NERACOOS. 4min 25sec, 

Dwight Gledhill  director NOAA acidification program 14minutes.

Representative Mick Devin & Q&A 19 minutes

More to come... refresh the page

Farewell to paper nav charts - Uncle Sam says: read online or download a copy

It seems unbelievable.  NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, which in 1862 began creating and maintaining the nautical charts of U.S. coastal waters, today announced that starting April 13, 2014, the federal government will no longer print traditional paper nautical charts. 

For a limited time, full-scale PDF  nautical charts are available for free download. This is on a "trial basis", so get their pdf maps while they're there.

The Stockton Harbor/Long Cove image is extracted from on of these charts (our caption).

Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey said with marvellous understatement:  “We know that changing chart formats and availability will be a difficult change for some mariners who love their traditional paper charts."

 NOAA said  that the decision to stop production is based on the declining use of lithographic charts, the increasing use of digital and electronic charts, and "federal budget realities".

As for electronic charts, NOAA will continue to create and maintain  the increasingly popular Print on Demand (POD) charts.  They will also maintain NOAA's electronic navigational charts and raster navigational charts, (both updated weekly) along with the pdf nautical charts.

All are available for free download from the Coast Survey website.

Waiting for Big Blue/Green & Red, White& Blue to get GOM HAPC happening

On the coast of Maine.  We wait for Big BlueGreen to lift its sluggish head from the climate change trough it is feeding at. It is time to stand at the shore of the sea, midwifing what to developers & polluters may seem a monster, but to the rest of us, a blessing,

Time to get organized, NOAA is implementing new federal marine fish habitat rules over the entire coastal shallows (low tide to 30 feet deep) (see map of Vinalhaven & North Haven) of the entire New England coast: Narragansett Bay of Connecticut/Rhode Island up to Passmaquoddy Bay at the Maine/New Brunswick border, on behalf of and to the betterment of inshore atlantic cod schools that should be thronging those shores, common as mackerel.

And will again, perhaps, if their old home is freed from pollution, dredging, filling and the rest of the insults we humans dole out so blithely to Neptune's wild Atlantis holdikngs. Read summary of federal inshore cod plan, with maps (3pg pdf)