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V O L . X X V I N O. I X M AY 5 , 2 0 2 0 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E From opposite sides of the street and opposite sides of the country, through fear and frustrations, and masks, we can still smile at each other and remind each and everyone of us that we are still here for each other; because we can still smile with each other and we're not going anywhere. FROM SIX FEET AWAY, WE CAN STILL SMILE AT EACH OTHER. SMILES MATTER NortheastDeltaDental.com B R I E F Belfast council wants state to get moving on Nordic Aquafarms application B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Belfast City Council is asking state regulators to get on with a review of a land-based salmon farm proposal by videoconference, rather than in person later. Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Board of Environmental Protection was scheduled to hold its final deliberations and issue findings May 7 on an application by Nordic Aquafarms to develop a land-based salmon aquaculture facility. The Nordic Aquafarms operation is proposed for a 56-acre parcel along the northwest side of U.S. Route 1, near the lower reservoir of the Little River. Nordic proposes to develop the project in two phases over five or more years. Total production capac- ity at build-out is estimated to be 72.7 million pounds of salmon per year. At its April 21 meeting, held by videoconference, the council learned that the regulatory board was considering waiting until it could meet in person. Council members said they were concerned about a delay in the board's deliberations because the pan- demic made it impossible to predict when the board might be able to safely convene. Nordic's application has been winding its way through the permit process for over two years. "We have seen delay after delay after delay," said Councilor Neal Harkness. "We're hoping to see this move forward. We're going to be coming out of this virus situation in a depression in this country. The possibility that we could get economic development mov- ing sooner rather than later — that's imperative." "Two-and-a-half years is enough time for many things — that includes a proposed fish farm," said Mayor Eric Sanders. The operation, he added, could be an "economic lever that would help the city of Belfast, now and in the next 10, 20, 30 years." The city planning board's review of Nordic's appli- cation will resume in May, Wayne Marshall, director of code and planning, told the council. He noted that the Board of Environmental Protection's input would be useful for the planning board as it considers topics related to the application such as natural resource protection, wetland impact and discharge into the bay. After hearings held in March, the Maine Department of Marine Resources determined that dredging and construction of intake and discharge pipes, related to Nordic's project, were feasible from the standpoint of fishing operations, contingent on certain recom- mendations to minimize impact. Critics of the plan include local fishermen and a shellfish aquaculture operator. They were concerned about potential impacts pertaining to construction activities and the haul route of the dredging barge, about discharge from the pipes, and about potential reduction in landings due to physical and biochemical changes of the marine environment. The possibility that we could get economic development moving sooner rather than later — that's imperative. — Neal Harkness Belfast City Council P H O T O / N O R D I C A Q UA FA R M S I N C . An interior view of An interior view of Nordic Aquafarms Nordic Aquafarms' land-based aquaculture facility in ' land-based aquaculture facility in Frederikstad, Norway. The Frederikstad, Norway. The Belfast City Council Belfast City Council is asking the state Board is asking the state Board of of Environmental Protection Environmental Protection to issue its findings on the proposal by May 7. to issue its findings on the proposal by May 7.

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