I just read about the new marine aquaculture research center to be built at the University of Maine in Orono. I can’t understand why anyone would want to build such a facility in Orono, instead of at the UMM campus in Machias, which is just a stone’s throw away from the salt water.

The best marine biology program in the state is already in place at the Machias campus, and the aquaculture facilities that such research will benefit from are just a short drive away. The closeness of these facilities would provide excellent research opportunities for students, as well as give them a chance to gain first hand experience in the field.

I’m sure land would be available in Machias, and considering the cutbacks due to declining enrollment recently announced at UMM , such an investment would give new life to the campus and the local economy. Then again, the University of Maine at Machias is in Washington County, the other state of Maine…

Alfred “Butch” Moore

Milbridge