Fishermen concerned about gas terminal

HARPSWELL – Harpswell’s fishermen are sounding the alarm over a proposed liquid natural gas terminal.

They and others say they’re concerned that they won’t have enough information to make an informed decision before Dec. 16, when town residents must vote whether to support or deny a lease agreement with ConocoPhillips and TransCanada.

The companies are proposing building a $350 million LNG terminal at the former U.S. Navy fuel depot site.

Fishermen and lobstermen say they’re concerned about the gear loss that would likely occur when the LNG tankers come into port every four to nine days.

Forty fishermen and lobstermen from Harpswell, Freeport and Yarmouth gathered at West Harpswell School Tuesday night to discuss the project.

“The run-around is just endless. Everybody’s been to these meetings, and that’s what we’re getting,” said lobsterman Chris Hole.

The group devised a lengthy list of questions they plan to put to company representatives about everything from safety zones around LNG tankers to lost lobster traps that might end up littering the bay floor.

Another group of about 75 mostly Harpswell Neck residents turned out for the first meeting of “Fair Play for Harpswell,” a new group that formed to address concerns about the LNG proposal.

While most of the group’s organizers hope the proposal will be defeated at the polls in December, that’s not what the group is about, they say.

“We are looking for answers from people who aren’t necessarily paid by the company. We’re about getting fair and accurate information,” Phyllis Gamache-Jensen said.

She and others are concerned that the companies have had more than a year to prepare their proposal, while town residents must decide by Dec. 16.

Even if residents approve the project, it still needs federal and state review, a process that would take about two years. The facility would not be operational until at least 2009.