Coastal study group idea sent back ashore
AUGUSTA A resolution that would have created a 25-member study group to research how best to balance new coastal development with environmental conservation was shot down by a legislative committee last week after concerns over the resolve’s vague language and strong objections from the aquaculture industry.
“I hear the intention, but we had masses of testimony raising a lot of concerns about the way it was written,” said state Rep. Joyce “Jay” Mccreight (D-Harpswell), a member of the Marine Resources Committee.
The resolution, LD 1211, was put forward by state Rep. Lynne Williams (D-Bar Harbor) to “create multi municipal communication, conflict resolution and cooperation” around the state’s bays and waterfront and give smaller towns more say over what happens in their region’s waters.