January 2003

Ms. Kirsten Hebert

Maine Municipal Authority

It has come to my attention that the temporary lease for the Mussel Farm just south of Kelly Cove in the town of Northport is due to expire and the lessors wish to have this lease made permanent and expanded to 100 acres.

I live on the Northport shore just south of present mussel rafts. I have lived here in summers for many years and full time for the past 20 years. I am in a good position to observe the marine traffic going up and down the bay. During the period of time when the mussel farm rafts have been present, some of traffic goes inside of the rafts and some of the traffic goes outside of the rafts.

It is easy to see that the rafts are directly in the path of normal marine traffic. I believe that the reason no vessel has hit the rafts in darkness or fog is sheer luck. While there is a flashing light on one of the rafts, it is so feeble that it is difficult to see at any distance. For the lessees to expand the rafts even further would be make the chance of collision even greater.

It is my understanding that the town can declare navigable waterways and channels which shall be kept clear of any hazard to navigation. Certainly the town should so designate this channel along the Northport shore. Failure to do so is just an invitation to loss of marine property and possibly loss of life.

I would appreciate any guidance your office can supply in helping Northport to establish this navigable channel designation.

Sincerely,