Sears Island Alert

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Sierra Club Grassroots Email Express

May 8, 2005

Volume 3 No. 11

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Sears Island Could be Set Aside for Transportation Site

without a Public Planning Process or Discussion

Legislative Committee to Vote This Week

THE ISSUE:

LD 277 would legislate that Sears Island, located in Penobscot Bay in Searsport, as an industrial site. The bill was introduced by Representative McKenny (R Cumberland).

At the Legislative Hearing, the amendments below were added to LD 277 by its sponsor Representative McKenney as presented at the public hearing by former DOT Commissioner Melrose for the Maine Better transportation Association.

"(1) To manage lands held by the State in the Port of Searsport primarily for marine transportation purposes;

"(2) To require Legislative review and approval of any proposal that would alter the current land use, ownership or jurisdiction of lands owned by the State within the Port of Searsport presently under MDOT jurisdiction; and

"(3) To assure that all parties of interest be involved in any proceedings that would lead to recommendations to the Legislature that would alter current land use, ownership or jurisdiction of lands owned by the State within the Port of Searsport presently under MDOT jurisdiction."

REASONS THE CHAPTER IS AGAINST THE BILL AND AMENDEMENTS

The Maine Chapter and many others have battled for more than 20 year to assure only compatible uses for this island, the largest unprotected island on the East Coast, for its well documented importance to the marine and coastal ecosystem, its potential for passive recreational use, and environmental education.

In a meeting with the Governor in 2004 he asked his staff to develop a framework to look at a more comprehensive plan - for the future, not just with the town – “this is a regional, state project.” Since that time DOT has maneuvered to skew the process by establishing their own agenda as a starting point, BEFORE any public process can begin.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Call, fax, or email the Transportation Committee with a letter of opposition. Alert your legislator.

CALL the Transportation Committee: 287-4148

FAX: 287-8813

EMAIL: Go to http://janus.state.me.us/house/townlist.htm for your legislators contact information.

Tell them there should be an open, public planning process with all stakeholders involved before any decision is made to isolate and tie up this special place forever. The bill, LD 277 should be defeated without any amendments. At the very least amendments that have been proposed put the cart before the horse and THE PLANNING PROCESS MUST COME FIRST.

Transportation Committee Members Phone 287-4148

Senator Dennis S. Damon (D-Hancock), Chair 667-9629

Senator William G. Diamond (D-Cumberland) 892-8941

Senator Christine R. Savage (R-Knox) 785-4632

Representative Boyd P. Marley (D-Portland), Chair 878-3224

Representative Charles D. Fisher (D-Brewer) 944-9396

Representative Rosaire "Ross" Paradis, Jr. (D-Frenchville) 728-4854

Representative Sonya G. Sampson (D-Auburn) 784-3141

Representative George W. Hogan, Sr. (D-Old Orchard Beach) 934-0492

Representative Edward J. Mazurek (D-Rockland) 594-5647

Representative Terrence P. McKenney (R-Cumberland)* 829-5647

Representative Ronald F. Collins (R-Wells) 985-3224