Maine Dredge Team Mtg 3/4/21 Update on Searsport Harbor, more

On March 4, 2021, the Maine Dredge Team  met via zoom and  discussed a variety of Maine dredging  project locations including Searsport, Blue Hill,  Surry,   Great Chebeague,  Kennebunk,  and Portsmouth. They also discussed related issues of disposal techniques and protection of eelgrass, including transitioning to conservation moorings  that elevate   lower mooring chains above the harbor floors. 

SEARSPORT  Listen here to the 8 minute discussion of Searsport Harbor's dredging plan, including its present status and  typed questions from Maine Lobstering Union's Kim Ervin Tucker  about safely dewatering the tainted spoils and about  incorporating findings from the Dawson Study into their planning 

BLUE HILL Harbor dredge plan  2min 25sec

SURRY (Patten Bay) 1min 47sec

GREAT CHEBEAGUE ISLAND  Part 1 3min5sec   Part 2 1min45sec

Searsport Harbor dredge plans:two updates. Plus Camden & Blue Hill dredge news

Maine  Dredging Team Updates 

The Maine Dredging Team today released minutes from its October 11, 2016 meeting in Portland.  The team is led by Maine DOT  and the Army Corps of Engineers  and includes other state and federal agencies.  At the meeting, the Army Corps of  Engineers (ACOE)reviewed  the status of current navigation improvement projects in Maine. 

Below are sections from the report about Searsport Harbor,  Camden Harbor & Blue Hill Bay.  Read full 2 page report here. (pdf)  *** Meeting participants list (pdf)

Searsport Harbor (1). Ed O’Donnell (ACOE) explained that, at the request of MaineDOT, the ACOE is evaluating options for maintenance dredging of the existing federal project as a separate project, independent of the related proposed navigation improvement project. See above. Mr. O’Donnell clarified that the maintenance dredging project would be confined to the boundaries of the existing federal project, and involves dredging about 40,000 cy of material near the piers. Mr. O’Donnell further explained that ACOE is looking at various disposal options, would like to place the dredged material in a suitable upland location, and is awaiting further information from MaineDOT. 

Rob Elder (MaineDOT) noted that Maine DOT has retained an environmental consulting firm to investigate to assess upland disposal alternatives. In response to questions, 

Jay Clement (ACOE) indicated that he had no knowledge of discussions of potential dredging in the Penobscot River and placement of dredged materials in a CAD cell to be built off Castine and Cape Jellison as part of the federal court-ordered cleanup of mercury contamination. Mr. Clement said he’d check with colleagues and provide follow information. In response to the questions, Mr. Clement further explained that any such dredging and disposal project would require applicable state and federal permits, applications for which would be processed with public notice and opportunity for comment and in consultation with natural resources agencies. Mr. Clement further explained that a project-specific EA would prepared and would be the basis for determining whether an EIS would be appropriate to ensure a hard look at environmental effects.

Searsport Harbor (2) Ed O’Donnell (ACOE) explained that, at the request of MaineDOT, the ACOE is evaluating options for maintenance dredging of the existing federal project as a separate project, independent of the related proposed navigation improvement project. See above.

Searsport Harbor. Mack Point dredging, 1966.

Ed O’Donnell clarified that the maintenance dredging project would be confined to the boundaries of the existing federal project, and involves dredging about 40,000 cy of material near the piers. Mr. O’Donnell further explained that ACOE is looking at various disposal options, would like to place the dredged material in a suitable upland location, and is awaiting further information from MaineDOT.   Rob Elder (MDOT)noted that MaineDOT has retained an environmental consulting firm to investigate to assess upland disposal alternatives.

In response to questions, Jay Clement (ACOE) indicated that he had no knowledge of discussions of potential dredging in the Penobscot River and placement of dredged materials in a CAD cell to be built off Castine and Cape Jellison as part of the federal court-ordered cleanup of mercury contamination.  Mr. Clement said he’d check with colleagues and provide follow information. In response to the questions, Mr. Clement further explained that any such dredging and disposal project would require applicable state and federal permits, applications for which would be processed with public notice and opportunity for comment and in consultation with natural resources agencies. Mr. Clement further explained that a project-specific EA would prepared and would be the basis for determining whether an EIS would be appropriate to ensure a hard look at environmental effects.

Camden Harbor .  Mark Habel (ACOE) reported that ACOE headquarters approved federal involvement in a feasibility study of a proposal to improve the existing breakwater. Work on this project remains on-hold pending execution of a feasibility cost-sharing agreement with the Town of Camden pursuant to which the town would be obligated to fund 50% of the study’s cost.  The ACOE awaits the Town’s decision.  Note This project has been "on hold" since at least May, 2016.      Camden Harbor Navigation Project

Blue Hill Bay. Mark Habel (ACOE) said that the Town of Blue Hill and the ACOE have entered into a cooperative agreement for the on-going feasibility study for this project. which involves a proposed shallow-draft channel and turning basin. See news story.10/20/16 Environmental sampling showed gasoline contamination in some areas where dredging had been planned, and additional sampling showed this to be confined to surface sediments, with clean glacial till comprising the bulk of the material to be dredged. The ACOE and town are also looking at reconfiguring the turning basin to minimize the volume of contaminated material needing removal.

Maine BEP won't take jurisdiction over Searsport megadredge plan. AUDIO Board uncertain whether Searsport & Belfast are separate towns(?)

On July 16th the Maine Board of Environmental Protection voted NOT to assume jurisdiction over the controversial Searsport Harbor "channel widening"  dredge project.
Listen below to recordings of each speaker and  each board discussion that took place at the meeting.

* BEP Chair James Parker opens the  meeting  1min 43 sec

* Patricia Aho introduction 3min

* Commissioner's report_Pat Aho  5min

* Chairman begins dredging  application part of meeting 2min 6sec

* MDEP Mark Bergeron &  Commissioner Patricia Aho. 4min 32 sec

* MDEP Commissioner Aho's anti jurisdiction rationale 11min 45 sec

* Chairman introduces public comment section. 47 seconds

* Steve Hinchman, attorney for Islesboro Island Trust 21min 52sec

* Kim Ervin Tucker, attorney  for Maine Lobstering Union 31min 46 sec

* Arch Gillies  Islesboro, Armindy McFadden, Whales Tooth Pub, aquaculturist 17min 20sec

*  Ron Huber Friends of Penobscot Bay, David Black lobsterman, Wayne Canning lobsterman 19min 43 sec

* Christopher Hyk,  Elaine Tucker, Belfast, Harlan McLaughlin, Searsport and Barbara Moore, Indian Island 9min15sec.

* Army Corps of Engineer staffer Mark Hable 6min23sec

* Maine BEP & Staff debate  then vote not to assume jurisdiction  41 minutes

Notes: The refusal was made despite voluminous requests they do so from a wide spectrum of  Penobscot Bay user groups area residents and partisans.

The people and their attorneys  explained in detail how the project to dig up nearly a million pounds of centuries-old sediment from the edges of Searsport Harbor, then dump it into waters and onto the bayfloor area shared by Northport and Islesboro,  would shut down lobster fisheries in those waters for three years or more, would kill generations of lobsters at the sites and  wreak havoc with Maine's lobster "brand"  in regional national and global markets  - already beset by the  permanent lobstering closure of lower Penobscot River for chronic mercury contamination.

But it was for naught.

Searsport Mega Dredge: the Four Criteria that the dredge project must meet to be taken up by the BEP

Requests for Maine Board of Environmental Protection to take Jurisdiction over Searsport mega dredge application must meet at least three of these four criteria.

* Will have an environmental or economic impact in more than one municipality,     territory or county;
*  Involves an activity not previously permitted or licensed in the State;
* Is likely to come under significant public scrutiny; and
* Is located in more than one municipality, territory or county.

Let's look at those four in regard to this dredge project:

* Will have an environmental or economic impact in more than one municipality, territory or county.  
YES.  Up to six towns.The sediments would be dredged in  Searsport  and dumped in waters shared by Belfast and Islesboro. In addition the plume from the spoils would likely spread to Northport's waters.  Bangor civic organizations have declared that their city will be significantly benefited by the dredge project. Finally some of the waste would be landfilled. Local options are limited; it may need to go to the Orrington landfill.

*  Involves an activity not previously permitted or licensed in the State; 
YES.  Never has so much spoils been dug out from one Maine harbor, and then  dumped (approximately 1,000 bargeloads)  into one location in inshore state waters.

Never has the state of Maine proposed approving such an economically damaging project on behalf of two foreign oil companies  that officials admit would suppress the lobster fisheries and mussel farming of at least two towns  for up to three years  -  with NO compensation - for a dredge project the applicant itself  freely admits will  at best save two or thee ships a year from having to wait in the Searsport anchorage a few hours before offloading at their Mack Point terminals

* Is likely to come under significant public scrutiny
YES The project has been and will continue to be under a great deal of public scrutiny! It has pitted towns against one another - Belfast and Islesboro against Searsport and Bangor.  Public  meetings and hearings have been held by municipalities,  by federal and state agencies and by non government organizations, to assist the public in their scrutiny of,  and observations about, this dredge proposal 

* Is located in more than one municipality, territory or county. 
YES. The dredging would take plan in Searsport, the dredge materials would be disposed of in waters shared by Belfast and Islesboro.

Looks like the proposed dredging project easily meets all four criteria!

More info on the criteria click here

Searsport Harbor Mega-dredge plan: Board of Enviro Protection to decide if it will take over state decisionmaking.

Searsport Harbor Super-Dredge/Dump Plan:
Will the Maine Board of Environmental Protection  take over  state decisionmaking on controversial plan for biggest Maine dredge project ever?

On July 16th the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) will hold a hearing on requests that it take over decisionmaking  about the Army Corps of Engineers application to dredge up nearly 900,000 cubic yards of sediments from outer Searsport Harbor and nearby Long Cove,then dump them  several miles away at a site between Belfast and Islesboro Island. The Board has four criteria for deciding; at least 3 must be met.

Below read links to the documents being supplied to the BEP by Commissioner Patty Aho about the  incredibly controversial Searsport Navigation Improvement Project.
More than 30 individuals and groups (including Friends of Penobscot Bay) are calling for the BEP to "assume jurisdiction" over the project.

Request for Board to take Jurisdiction. Staff: James Beyer, Bureau of Land Quality
* Staff Memo
* Criteria for Board Jurisdiction:  Excerpts from Statute and Rule
* Commissioner Aho’s June 24, 2015 Determination on Board Jurisdiction

Excerpts from the Application:
* Public Review Draft:  Environmental Assessment April 2013
* Searsport Harbor Federal Navigation Maintenance & Improvement Project:  April 2015 Update
* Letter from Town of Islesboro:  May 27, 2015 Request for Board Jurisdiction
* Islesboro Islands Trust:  June 1, 2015 Request for Board Jurisdiction
* Letter from Kim Ervin Tucker:  June 1, 2015 Request for Board Jurisdiction
* Additional Requests for Board Jurisdiction   (FOPB is on that list)

Junkyard application granted conditional approval. - latest media.

Junkyard application granted conditional approval.
By Stephanie Grinnell | Feb 10, 2015  BELFAST REPUBLICAN JOURNAL

Grimmel Industries was granted conditional approval to operate a junkyard -- stockpiles of scrap metal -- on leased property at Mack Point.

SEARSPORT — Grimmel Industries Inc. received conditional approval from Searsport's Planning Board Feb. 9 to stockpile scrap metal on leased Sprague Energy property at Mack Point.

Mack Point  from above Sears Island.  Photo courtesy Project Light Hawk

The operation falls under the junkyard definition and the company's application was approved with several conditions, which will be reviewed again before final approval is granted. Conditions include meeting noise standards, controlling dust and potential heavy metal contamination through a closed-loop water system and air quality monitoring, as well as clean up of stray pieces of metal both from the bay and from trucks moving the materials.

Planning Board members unanimously granted the conditional approval and noted operations by Grimmel can not begin in Searsport until all conditions of approval are met. Planning Board members also requested copies of the updated Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (issued by the Department of Environmental Protection to Sprague), Sprague's Best Management Practices and DEP testing criteria for any contaminants it deems necessary to monitor.

Previously, Grimmel representatives described the Searsport operation as stockpiling of softball-sized metal on an existing 2.25-acre concrete pad, which is fully surrounded by Sprague property. About 10 times per year, ships will be loaded with the scrap metal and it will be shipped overseas.

Residents raised concerns about dust created by rusting ferrous metals at the site, water contamination as well as noise and the potential for damage to vehicles caused by loose pieces of metal, in part based on Grimmel's operation in Portsmouth, N.H. The company's lease in Portsmouth was not renewed this year by Pease Development Authority, leading to its application in Searsport.

Attorney Kristen Collins noted there will be an additional opportunity for public comment when Grimmel's application is next addressed by the Planning Board. No date was set for the hearing.

Islesboro Island Trust unveils alternative dredge plan. Plus Media reaction to Report

PENOBSCOT BAY. Plans for expansion dredging of Searsport Harbor came under fresh fire today, as a bay area land trust and other opponents of the project renewed their call for the US Army Corps of Engineers and Maine Department of Transportation to perform an Environmental Impact Study on the controversial project before further action is taken. See media coverage at end of release

Islesboro Island Trust today released a report by prominent consulting firm Dawson and Associates that notes that the agencies have not considered 

less damaging alternatives, nor considered the impact to bay fisheries of the release of large quantitities of methylmercury into Penobscot Bay water column.

The Dawson & Associates Report  APPRAISAL OF SEARSPORT DEEPENING PROJECT (pdf) suggests maintenance dredging the entry to Searsport Harbor only to mintenance standard to 35 feet rather than 45, and instead  deepening the layover berths next to the piers to 45 feet. The report says

97% of projected shipping benefits identified by the Corps in their proposal would be achieved using this alternative, the report says, "but would require substantially less dredging than the Corps’ proposal."

Ron Huber, executive director of Friends of Penobscot Bay lauded the report.
"Our state and federal governments need to take the concerns of Penobscot Bay area citizens seriously." Huber said. "This project could radically change the lives of people who fish Penobscot Bay. And those who beachcomb, swim and sail it. "

FOPB's concerns are the same as other dredge critics: the mega-dredge could bring mercury, then methylmercury resuspension, reduce primary production by bay seaweeds and microalgae by turning the water nearly opaque for up to a year, & could stimulate increased coastal industrial growth in the upper Penobscot Bay estuary.

"With the river dams coming down, this estuary needs more protection, not less" he said. "As more and more seafood species come up Penobscot Bay and down Penobscot River, this estuary, as the transition crossroad for them, must be kept ecologically sound."

For more information about the Dawson  & Associates report contact Steve Miller, Islesboro Island Trust 207-734-6907 iitsmill@gmail.com

MEDIA COVERAGE

Legislators officials want further study into Searsport dredging Fox 22 Bangor

Group wants Searsport Dredging Put on Hold  WABI

 Group Unveils Possible Alternative to Searsport Dredge plan. WLBZ

Possible alternative to Searsport dredge plan advanced. WCSH 6

Group advances alternative Searsport Dredging Plan MPBN

Land Trust Promotes Alternative to Searsport Harbor Dredging Bangor Daily News

http://bangordailynews.com/2014/06/12/news/midcoast/land-trust-promotes-alternative-to-searsport-harbor-dredging/

FOPB joins renewed call for Searsport MEGA dredge EIS

Citizens tell Feds: Prepare an environmental impact study and smarten up dredge plan before risking New England's top lobster ground - to benefit two foreign oil interests!

PENOBSCOT BAY.  Plans for expansion dredging of Searsport Harbor came under fresh fire today, as a bay area land trust and other opponents of the project renewed their call for the US Army Corps of Engineers and Maine Department of Transportation to perform an  Environmental Impact Study on the controversial project before further action is taken.

Islesboro Island Trust today released a report by prominent consulting firm Dawson and Associates that notes that the agencies have not considered less damaging alternatives, nor considered the impact to bay fisheries of the release of large quantitities of methylmercury into Penobscot Bay water column.

The Dawson report suggests maintenance dredging the entry to 35 feet rather than 45, and instead and deepening the layover berths next to the piers to 45 feet.  The report says  

"97% of projected shipping benefits identified by the Corps in their proposal would be achieved using this alternative, the report says, "but would require substantially less dredging than the Corps’ proposal."

Ron Huber, executive director of Friends of Penobscot Bay lauded the report.

"Our state and federal governments need to take the concerns of Penobscot Bay area citizens seriously." Huber said.  "This project could radically change the lives of people who fish Penobscot Bay. And those who beachcomb, swim and sail it. "

FOPB's concerns are the same as other dredge critics"

the mega-dredge could bring mercury, then methylmercury resuspension, reduce primary production by bay seaweeds and microalgae by turning the water nearly opaque for up to a year, & could stimulate increased coastal industrial growth in the upper Penobscot Bay estuary.   

"With the river dams coming down, this estuary needs more protection, not less"   he said.   "As more and more seafood species come up Penobscot Bay and down Penobscot River, this estuary, as the transition crossroad for them, must be kept ecologically sound." 

For more information about the Dawson report contact Steve Miller, Islesboro Island Trust 207-734-6907iitsmill@gmail.com

End

"Friends of Penobscot Bay: People who care about Maine's Biggest Bay."

Maine, the Feds and the Coastal Zone Management Act

There are many laws that must be considered as the Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Maine decide whether or not to approve the Searsport Harbor expansion dredge application.

Here is the list according to the Coastal Zone Management Act, which  requires the state and feds to be satisfied that the application meets the standards of all the below laws that apply.   (see CZMA Wikipedia entry)

o Natural Resources Protection Act (38 M.R.S. §§480-A to 480-S; and 480-U to 480-HH)
· Wetlands Protection rules (Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules ch.310)
· Coastal Sand Dune rules (DEP rules ch. 355)
· Permit by Rule standards (DEP rules ch. 305)
· Significant habitat rules (DEP rules ch. 335; Department of Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife (DIFW) rules ch. 10)
· Scenic Impact rules (DEP rules ch. 315)
o Site Location of Development Law (38 M.R.S. §§481 to 485-A; 486-A, -B; 487-A to 490; and 490-A to 490-TT)13
· Definitions of terms used in the site location of development law and regulations (DEP rules ch. 371)
· Policies and procedures (DEP rules ch. 372)
· Financial capacity standard (DEP rules ch. 373)
· No adverse environmental impact standard (DEP rules ch. 375)

Soil types standard (DEP rules ch. 376)
· Review of roads (DEP rules ch. 377)
· Variance criteria; performance standards (storage of petroleum products) (DEP rules
ch. 378)
· Planning permit (DEP rules ch. 380)
o MaineDOT Traffic Movement Permit Law (23 M.R.S. §704-A )
o Erosion Control and Sedimentation Law (38 M.R.S. §420-C)
o Wind Energy Act (35-A M.R.S. §§3451-3459)
· Scenic viewpoints of state or national significance on public reserved lands or
publicly accessible pedestrian trails (Department of Conservation rules ch. 3)
o Storm Water Management Law (38 M.R.S. §420-D)
· Storm Water Management rules (DEP rules ch. 500)
· Direct Watersheds of Water bodies Most at Risk from New Development, and
Sensitive or Threatened Regions or Watersheds (DEP rules ch. 502)
o Maine Waterway Development and Conservation Act (38 M.R.S. §§630 to 636-A; and 640)
o Protection and Improvement of Air Law (38 M.R.S. §§581 to 610-A, -B)14
· DEP rules chapters: 100 (regulatory definitions); 113 (growth offset regulations); 115
(major and minor source air emissions license regulations); 117 (source surveillance);
118 (gasoline vapor recovery); 134 (RACT for VOCs emitting facilities); and 138
(RACT for nitrous oxides emitting facilities)
o Protection and Improvement of Waters Act15 (38 M.R.S. §§361 to 367; 371-A to 372;
410-N; 411 to 424; 451 to 455; and 464 to 470)

---------------------------------
Nutrient Management Act (7 M.R.S. §§4201-4214)
 Land Use Regulation Law (12 M.R.S. §§681 to 689)
· List of Coastal Islands in the Jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Planning
Commission
· Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) Rules and Regulations, ch. 10 - Land Use
Districts and Standards16
o Maine Hazardous Waste, Septage and Solid Waste Management Act (38 M.R.S.
§§1301 to 1310-BB; 1316 to 1316-L; and 1317 to 1319-W)
o Uncontrolled Hazardous Substance Sites Law (38 M.R.S. §§1362 and 1367)
o Asbestos Law (38 M.R.S. §§1273 and 1281)
o Lead Abatement Law (38 M.R.S. §§1296 and 1298(3))
o Sale of Consumer Products Affecting the Environmental Law (38 M.R.S. §§1608
and 1609-10)
o Mercury-Added Products and Services Law (38 M.R.S. §§1661-1661-C; 1665-A, -B;
and 1672)
o Solid Waste Management and Recycling Law (38 M.R.S. §§2133, sub-§2(A) and
2165)
o Priority Toxic Chemical Use Reduction Law (38 M.R.S. §§2321-2330)
o Wellhead Protection Law (38 M.R.S. §§1391-1399)

---------------------------------
Wellhead Protection: Siting of Facilities that Pose a Significant Threat to Drinking
Water (DEP rules ch. 700)
Siting of Oil Storage Facilities (DEP rules ch. 692)
Rules and Regulations for Flammable and Combustible Liquids (Dept. of Public
Safety rules ch. 34)
o Nuclear Facility Decommissioning Laws (PL 1999 c. 739 and PL 1999 c. 741)
o Oil Discharge Prevention & Pollution Control Law (38 M.R.S. §§541 to 560)
o Oil Storage Facilities and Ground Water Protection Law (38 M.R.S. §§561; 562-A; 563, sub-§1(A) and 2; 563-A-B; 564; 565-A; 566-A; 568; 568-A-B; 569-A, -C; 570; and 570-A-G, I-M)
Rules for Underground Storage Facilities (DEP rules ch. 691)
o Maine Endangered Species Act (12 MRSA §§12801-12810 [inland species]; 12
M.R.S. §6971-6977 [marine species]; and 12 M.R.S. §10001, sub-§§19 and 62
[definitions])
· Endangered species (DIFW rules ch. 8)
o General licensing and enforcement authorities; fees (38 M.R.S. §§341-D; 344 to
349; and 352-353, and 353-A, -B[fees])17
o Maine Rivers Act (12 M.R.S. §§403 and 407)
o Marine Resources Law (12 M.R.S. §§6171 to 6192; and 6432-A)
o Subdivision Law (30-A M.R.S. §§4401 to 4408)
o Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Law (38 M.R.S. §§435 to 449)
· Guidelines for Municipal Shoreland Zoning Ordinances (DEP rules ch. 1000)


o Coastal Management Policies Act (38 M.R.S. §§1801 to 1802)
o Coastal Barrier Resources System Act (38 M.R.S. §§1901 to 1905)

Searsport Hbr Dredge Meeting Belfast 4/8/14. AUDIO ONLINE

Complete audio recordings from April 8, 2014 Public Information & Water Quality Certification meeting, Hutchinson Ctr, Belfast, Maine.Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and state officials gave presentations and got grilled by the audience.  (36 speakers )

1. Introduction by Army Corps public relations mgr Larry Rosenberg 38 sec

2. Introduction by Patrick Arnold,  Maine Port Authority   3min 11sec 

3. Barbara Blumeris Army Corps, study mgr. introd by Rosenberg 18min 30sec

3a.Rosenberg observes (excerpt of above) that this is a meeting for DEP 22sec

4. ACOE Steve Wolf  DAMOS 35 min

.5 Rosenberg: This is a DEP mtg 4sec

6.  Mike Dassatt, DELA & reply by ACOE 8min 36 sec

ACoE's Blumeris lasering eelgrass map

7. Doug Hufnagel of Belfast discusses tides w/the Corps 7min25sec

8. Ann Crimaudo & Barbra Blumeris 2min40sec

9. State Rep Joe Brooks, Searsport 56 sec

10 Pemaquid Mussels, 1 min 49sec

11. Ridgely Fuller, Belfast

13. Will Neils, Appleton, 3min 44sec

14. David Laing, geologist from Stockton Springs & reply. 3min 46sec

15 Unidentified questioner and reply 3min 32sec

16. Julie Eaton, Lobster captain Deer Isle 1min 31sec

17 Dana Barry fisherman & QA he & Capt Eaton 1min 17sec

18. Unknown Belfast resident 50sec

19. Rob Iserbyt Rockport & QA 2min 30sec

20 Chloe Chunn  and QA 2min47sec

20. Suzy Dexter, Belfast Transition Group 2min 13sec

21.Suzy Dexter &  replies by Arnold & Blumeris 4min 19sec

22 Blumeris reply to Dexter on mercury 2min 9sec

22. Peter Wilkinson, Belfast 1min 52sec

23. Additional reply to Wilkinson 1min 31sec

24. Dave Miramont, Candidate for state senate 1min 28sec

25. B. Blumeris: why Army Corps is holding a DEP state meeting. 1min 3sec

26. Phyllis Coelho Belfast 2min

27. Kim Ervin Tucker 4min10sec

28. Reply to K. E. Tucker  1min 54sec

29. Kim Ervin Tucker & reply 6min3sec

30. Diane Messer 1min27sec

31. Two replies to D. Messer. 1min 28sec

32. Harlan Mclaughlin, FOPB & reply 5min 2sec.

33. "Let Ron speak!" pleas go unheeded. 5 seconds

34. David Tannhauser 2min

35.  Joel Woods, MLU. 44sec 

36. Faith Garrold to end of mtg 2min50sec

Searsport Mega-Dredge plan:the People lead. The Leaders...?

On April 8, 2014, Representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and  severa state agencies met with fishermen and others of the concerned public at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast,to discuss the state of Maines controversial plan to greatly expand the dredged area of the Searsport Harbor Here are photographs from the event,   Media Coverage   BDN ...Belfast Republican Journal.....WCSH-TV.. ...WLBZ

ME Lob Unionist & Kim Tucker w/leaders of Downeast Lobster Association

Doubt. Distrust. Disbelief. Penobscot Bay fishermen, supporters blast dredge plan 

Federal and state officials  at the head table

Angus King's staffer Chris Rector was upset when I asked if King in DC is blocking the EIS 

Barbara Blumeris, ACOE, doing her job.

Blumeris reviewing eelgrass map

"14 years" ex MDOT Commissioner Cole tells WCSH is how long an EIS process can take.

Add caption

Proposed construction window

Fishermens Forum 2014. Searsport dredge issue taken up by Maine Legislators & DMR Commissioner. AUDIO

The latest word on the Searsport Harbor expansion dredging project,  as spoken by  the Senate Chair of the Maine Legislature's  Marine Resources Committee and by Pat Keliher,  Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner, at the Maine Fishermen's Forum Saturday March 1st 2014. 

The committee was holding  an "Ask us about what we've been doing / Tell us what we need to know."  event at the forum Saturday afternoon.  
In photo, Committee members from left: Representative Chuck Kruger, Rep. Ralph Chapman, Rep. Ellen Winchenbach, Senator Chris Johnson, Representative Walter Kumiega, Senator Ed Mazurek and Rep.Mick Devin

In these two short recordings culled from the lengthy event which was hosted by Maine DMR Deputy Commissioner Meredith Mendelson,   Senator Johnson responds to a statement and question by Friendship lobsterman Richard Nelson and  Commissioner Keliher responds to a statement by Ron Huber  of Friends of Penobscot Bay to the Legislators  about oversight of DMR's role in dredging.

Richard Nelson, lobsterman, Robin Hadlock-Seeley, rockweed biologist

Friendship lobsterman Richard Nelson   observed in detail how many  state, federal and NGO marine policy initiatives & programs are floating around in state & federal Gulf of Maine waters, how disconnected from each other they mostly are, and thus ineffective, when it comes to actual "ecosystem" management. Combine that with the mercury problem of the river and  the dredging in the bay, the floating wind plantationing of the lobster and tuna grounds, and things don't look all that good.

SenatorJohnson, Representative Kumiega, Senator Mazurek

Chris Johnson, the Marine Resources Committee's Senate chair responded  for three minutes and 20 seconds and used the Searsport dredging controversy as an example of what the legislators have done to try to meet these challenges including the crafting and sending of a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers in response to the concerns of the people

Ron Huber, executive director of Friends of Penobscot Bay observed that the Marine Resources Committee has oversight of DMR, and that DMR has a key role in decisionmaking on the Searsport dredge expansion plan. 

Representatives Kruger and Chapman

This being a big project, and Maine's longtime environmental reviewer no longer with the agency, and DMR being under tremendous pressure..... 

Would you please as oversight committee, I said, make sure DMR's guy is allowed to review the project without interference?

Commissioner Keliher was asked by the committee to respond to Huber's comments. He replied for 2 minutes 27 seconds. Keliher said he was well aware of the past and recent history of the project. The dredge ball is presently in Maine DEP's court, he said.  When they're reached a certain step, DEP will then ship the whole mass of info to DMR for inspection and review by Keliher's agency

In a long-hoped-for break with the past, Maine's present day commissioner says he has gotten the word from the fishing community that there are problems lurking in those Searsport harbor sediments.  DMR will definitely host a public hearing-with-an-H on the proposal, putting an end to a decades long insistence on holding "public meetings"  not "public hearings", Keliher said that it will be held in "Searsport or Bucksport depending on what type of facility is required."  [?]

Mercer: Speak no evil?

The DMR Commish said a scientific team was being assembled under agency research director Linda Mercer to review the project - a not entirely reassuring revelation, given both the flat horizon of DMR research accomplishments during her decades as research director ** and her acquiescence with the "jobs over nature", "keep-the-public-uninformed, out-of-the-loop, and-at-arms-length" standards so unpleasantly first championed by early1990s DMR Commissioner Robin Alden under Governor Angus King.

Overall? Very good news: Maine's marine agency and its state legislature are on the ball about this project with its bay-disrupting potential.

** Note:  Or if not flat, then they were "stealth" accomplishments. Mercer also seems aggravating offended by public access requests  to review agency documents, as though they are not only holy writ but so holy that profane eyes may not rest upon them except carefully limited  selected documents viewed in absentia from its fellow files.  Even the agency's most completely non confidential environmental  land permit review files are locked  with her approval as tight as that other Fort Knox, down south. This does not bode all that well for transparency among the dredge research team. 

Searsport Harbor dredge plan public info meeting in Bangor 2/24/14 AUDIO

Audio recordings from the  February 24, 2014 public information meeting on the proposal to expansion-dredge Searsport Harbor, held at the Cross Center, in  Bangor, Maine.

A powerful showing by Penobscot Bay's fishing community thwarted Maine DEP's seeming plan to reduce public participation by moving the event more than 30 miles from Searsport.

Introduction to the meeting 5 minutes

Barbara Blumeris. John Henshaw in background

Speaker 1 Barbara Blumeris, regional chief, Army Corps of Engineers 12 minutes

Speaker 2  Steve Wolfe Army Corps of Engineers
* Part 1. All about dredging. 13 minutes
* Part 2 About dumping dredge spoils 20 minutes



PUBLIC SPEAKERS
1. Intro and Ron Huber, Friends of Penobscot Bay 2min35sec

2, Arch Gillies, Islesboro Selectboard 3min 10sec

3. Robert Young, Young's Seafood.  2min 45sec

4. Tony Kulik 2min 15sec

5. Representative Joe Brooks Winterport & Q&A 4min 14sec

6. Meredith Ares, Searsport Selectboard & Q&A. 2min 37sec

7. Nancy Galland & Q&A 5 minutes

8. Anne Crimaudo 50 seconds

9. John Porter, Bangor Chamber of Commerce 2min5sec

10.Bob Zeiglar, ME Port Authority 95sec

11. Bud Hall, Angler's Restaurant + Q &A 6min.

12. Patrice McCarron Maine Lobstermens Association 3min

13. Nancy Daley 2min 41 sec.

14. Harlan McLaughlin FOPB and Q&A 3min

15. Steve Hinchman 3min 15sec

16. Army Corps explains why it's there 75sec

17. David Cole 4 min

18. Mike Dassatt,  Belfast lobsterman 2min

19. Unnamed Southwest Harbor resident 3min 15sec

20 Steve Miller and Q&A 5min 40sec

21. Penobscot River & Bay Pilots 2min

22. Amy Browne WERU 2min 28sec

23. Christian Smith, Fisherman 1min 40sec

24. Nick Battista, Island Institute 2min 45sec

25. Becky Bartovics, Sierra Club  3min 30sec

26. Army Corps, Final remarks  50 sec