Port of Eastport

The editorial titled “Sears Island” (BDN, March 10) was most appropriate. However, it overlooked another key point in the state’s continuing effort to survive in a world economy. My reference is to the port of Eastport.

Cargo shipments through Eastport have increased from 15,000 tons in 1981 to more than 212,000 tons in 1992, with an increase over 1991 cargo of 36.2 percent. This growth will be constrained in 1993 by the lack of adequate facilities to handle the many requests we receive from interested producers, agents, and shipping companies. In fact, the port of Eastport is currently losing approximately 5,000 tons of cargo per month to the port of Saint John, New Brunswick, due to a lack of warehouse space. This translates directly into a loss of Maine jobs, increased costs for Maine businesses, and loss of revenues for the regional economy.

Recent marketing projections have stated that with expanded facilities the port of Eastport could easily handle more than twice the volume of its 1992 traffic, without impacting on cargo traveling through other Maine ports. Therefore, Eastport is also in the process of developing a new dry cargo terminal, to insure that Maine’s products can be shipped through Maine’s ports.

We have engaged in a novel approach to development of our new facilities. Efforts have been undertaken to insure that development would avoid sensitive areas such as wetlands, by purposely designing facilities to avoid impacts to these areas.

Site selection was directed to eliminate requirements for dredging and-or filling of intertidal and subtidal zones, by utilizing natural deep water areas. Engineering and design have even included oil-water separators to insure that storm water runoff is cleansed before allowing it to be discharged into the local marine environment.

Our goal is to develop a model dry cargo terminal at Eastport, which allows efficient operation, economical use of resources, and is environmentally compatible with all facets of the local area. We recognize that to keep Maine’s economy healthy, all of Maine’s ports must grow. We intend to be a leader in that effort, by encouraging development that is responsible to the needs of the local area, the region and the state of Maine. Brian C. Nutter Port director, Eastport