Letter to the Editor: Preserve Sears Island for Public Enjoyment, Not Manufacturing

Maine has a beautiful coastline. Unlike the equally beautiful coastlines of Oregon and California, however, public access to much of it is blocked by private property.

Why is the state considering further reducing what we can enjoy? Develop a state-owned acreage on pristine Sears Island as an industrial cargo port to manufacture and ship offshore wind turbines.

While I am very much in favor of offshore wind as a pillar of a clean energy future, I would love to know why the proposed development could not be done on Mack Point, an existing industrial port nearby .

Sears Island is a gem, one of the largest undeveloped islands on our Atlantic coast. Easy access, beaches, hiking trails and world class bird watching give it great recreational value. This would be endangered by development-related fencing, nighttime lighting and noise which may well scare away many ecotourists (and their wallets) who visit Sears Island for the peaceful interaction with nature so important to the mental health in our busy 21st century world. Already stressed migrating birds that depend on this serene spot as a stopover may well be forced to look elsewhere. And fishing in the area depends on eelgrass beds that will be destroyed, as well as productive shell beds.

Why do we have to lose this island oasis ourselves and deprive our children of it when such an obvious alternative, Mack Point, exists?

Pamela B. Blake
Freeport


Use the form below to reset your password. After you submit your account email, we’ll send you an email with a reset code.

” Previous

Next ”

Comments are closed.