January 5, 2003

To: Ms. Kirsten Hebert

       Maine Municipal Association

As a 30-year-long waterfront cottage owner in Bayside and currently as a 3-year-long year round resident as well, I am becoming more and more concerned about the mussel farming rafts off the Northport shoreline. 

The current size of these rafts is a danger and most certainly should never be expanded, rather we should look to removing them.  A friend who lives on Islesboro was riding to work on the launch service there on a workday.  As is common on Penobscot Bay, there was a heavy fog at 7 in the morning and the launch was unable to see the mussel rafts or any warning of them.  The boat passed within the chains on the rafts by a hair’s breadth.  The passengers were duly horrified.  I am no less frightened by the DMR’s granting of 1) the first permit, and 2) any expansion of these permits.

Must we look forward to loss of life due to these marine hazards?  Should we wait until there is a deadly accident before we act to stop them?

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,