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In late September 2003, Fairwinds announced its
proposal to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Harpswell.
Friends of Casco Bay (FOCB) immediately began to identify potential
environmental issues. We have been working diligently, behind-the-scenes
and in public forums, ever since to educate ourselves, the public, and
Fairwinds about possible environmental threats to Casco Bay.
In October 2003, we posted a four-page list of
environmental concerns regarding the proposed project on our website (www.cascobay.org).
We linked to community websites such as www.harpswell.info. We have shared
the list with Fairwinds engineers and environmental specialists in an
effort to mitigate environmental impacts on Casco Bay.
FOCB has spent hundreds of hours researching issues
and meeting and talking with Harpswell residents, Fairwinds
representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss potential threats to
the water quality of Casco Bay. We have spoken with proponents and
opponents alike and consulted with other waterkeepers and environmental
advocates who have had experience with LNG facilities in other harbors.
Early on, Friends of Casco Bay expressed concern
about potential wastewater discharges from the site. We raised issues
about wastewater from the tankers and attending vessels, as well as from
vessels used during the construction phase. We opposed a desalination
facility and a sewage treatment plant if their discharges would enter the
Bay. While we have not received assurances that these facilities will not
be on site, the lease that Harpswell residents will vote on March 9th
now states that there will be no discharges from the site or from ships
into Harpswell waters. We regard this as a promise that Fairwinds will
guarantee that no wastewater of any kind will be discharged from the site,
either from a desalination facility, sewage treatment plant, or from LNG
ships or other vessels, during or after construction. Should the lease be
approved, we will continue to demand assurances that absolutely no
discharges from LNG activities will occur anywhere in Casco Bay.
Other environmental issues still remain. We are
told these will not be addressed until the project moves into the next
phase. At that time, Fairwinds will have to commission an environmental
impact study and apply for permits and review from state and federal
agencies. Questions remain regarding: heavy Bay use for the transport of
people and materials during construction, the type of biocide in the
bottom paint on the LNG tankers, anti-fouling agents on piers and pipes,
the impact on marine habitats around the facility from a pier extension,
air quality issues especially from LNG ship exhaust, stormwater runoff,
and most importantly, the impact on Casco Bay of an underwater pipeline.
Fairwinds has stated that the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC), not Fairwinds, will decide whether the
pipeline has an overland or an underwater route. As the ombudsman for the
Bay, Friends of Casco Bay will advocate for an overland route. We think
there may be a way to run the pipeline underground up Route 123 without
interfering with private property rights. If that is possible, it would
avoid all of the potential impacts of putting a pipeline in the Bay. If,
however, an underwater pipeline is decided upon, we will provide input on
placement of every section and fight to ensure minimal impact on marine
habitats and resources. We will require that the
environmental impact study address
potential disruption to marine ecosystems and fisheries. We will support a
requirement that a comprehensive circulation study,
turbidity and sedimentation analyses, and many
other data collection activities be part of the pre-permitting phase.
We will advocate for shellfish/lobster population enhancement
projects to mitigate any displacement of resources from laying an
underwater pipeline. We will watch the regulatory permitting process
closely and intercede on behalf of the Bay wherever and whenever
necessary.
Although the citizens of Harpswell have a number of
issues to take into account, including economic, safety, and social
considerations, FOCB’s focus is on the environmental impact on Casco Bay.
We have identified marine environmental issues and made that information
available. Fairwinds will be required to address these issues. If the
project passes, we will continue to request, persuade, or push state and
federal agencies, as well as Fairwinds, to have our questions answered.
Since our expertise only allows us to deal with a
subset of all the issues involved with siting an LNG facility, it is not
appropriate for us to condemn or commend the whole project. We have stated
the parts of the proposal that we are opposed to, and, as a result, much
of that has been changed. If the project goes ahead, we will be there
every step of the way, trying to ensure positive outcomes on each of the
issues we have identified.
If Harpswell residents approve the lease, Friends
of Casco Bay is committed to remaining involved for the long-term, as a
watchdog and advocate, nagging, prodding, and, if necessary, intervening
legally, to protect Casco Bay.
If you have questions about any of the issues we
have identified, call me at 799-8574.
Joe Payne
Casco Baykeeper
Friends of Casco Bay |