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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-25 06-331 RESOLVEIntern Date: Septamber25,2006 al Og 331 Item/Subject RESOLVE, Supporting Maine's Investment in Deep -Water" Infrastructure at Sears Island Responsible Department: CommunlN & Economic Development Governor Ball formed the Sears Island Steering Committee tasked wgh making recommendations concerning the future use or uses of Staterowned, 991 acre, Sears Island in the Town of Searsport The Committee, consisting of some 90 persons, has held a number of meetings and a public foram to determine the public interest in, and viability of, possible future uses of Sears Island, Including continued State ownership of the island and the preservation of the $26 million public investment in transportation - related infrastructure completetl prior to the State's purchase of the Island in 1997 for the purpose of fulfilling Maine's Three Port Strategy and retaining future options W accommodate the growth In marine transportation. The Maine Better Transportation Assocladon and Maine Tomorrow have requested that the CIN of Bangor pess Nis Resolve supporting the preservation of transportation iurfrastrucNre on Sears Wand. passage of this Resolve would ensure the transportation interests of the Bangor City Council are made known to the Steering Committee and those that receive its remmmerw adons. (C)apartment Head Manager's Comments: CIN Manager Associated information: Finance Director Legal Approval: City Solltltor In,TduaM for —4y sersage _ First Reading ppa _of _ Referral OB 331 Assigned tO D'Htriw September 25, 2006 CITY OF BANGOR (TrfLE.) Resolve, Supporting Maine's Investment in Deep -Water Port Infrastructure at Sears Island WHEREAS, the economic area, for which Bangor is the major service center, ships products to, and receives products from, the world-wide market; and WHEREAS, the traditional resource-based industries of the Bangor region, and the region's emerging high-tech and value added industries require rapid, convenient and economical access to marine transportation to successfully compete in world markets; and WHEREAS, the major deep -water port that serves the Bangor economic area is the Port of SearspOrt and there being no other viable locations in the region for a major city cargo port; and WHEREAS, the State of Maine adopted a Three Port Strategy in 1978 that has ever since directed marine transportation investments and related land acquisition to the deep -water ports of Searsport, Portland and Eastport; and WHEREAS, the existng port facility at Mack Point adjacent to the village of Seamport has access to limited land and deep -water shoreline for expansion to accommodate future growth in the volume of cargo shipments and to attract the increasing size of marine vessels serving world markets; and WHEREAS, the State of Maine has invested $26 million in port infrastructure at Sears Island, including an access road and causeway for both highway and rail access, a cargo assembly area, a fully dredged deepwater approach and ship berthing area, and an initial rock pier structure, which serve as the initial phase of the development of a modern dry cargo port facility fully capable of accommodating foreseen cargo volumes and larger marine vessels; and WHEREAS, the State of Maine by and through its Department of Transportation acquired Sears Island in 1997 to fulfill the Three Port Strategy and protect the taxpayers' $26 million investment; and 06 3`31 WHEREAS, Sears Island offers marine transportation opportunities of statewide, national and international significance that on enhance the viability of the region's rail and highway freight operators and support the expansion of port -related employment; and WHEREAS, Sears Island provides the State of Maine the opportunity to respond to changing economic, environmental, energy and regulatory shift that are expected to favor the growth of marine transportation well into the future; and WHEREAS, the State of Maine is being asked to abandon the Three Port Strategy, its $28 million investment in the Sears Island deep -water port, a unique economic asset many years in the making, and the continuing capacity to respond to global challenges to placing all 991 acres of Sears Island in perpetual preservation; and WHEREAS, AT LEAST 890 MILES OF Maine coastal shoreline are already publicly accessible, but Only 25 miles is set aside for working waterfronts and only a small portion of that provides an opportunity for deep -water marine cargo transportation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT, the City of Bangor strongly favors the continuation of the Port of Searsport, including the State of Maine's investment in deep -water port infrastructure at Sears Island, as a critically Important component of the State of Maine's Three Port Strategy; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Bangor opposes any action that will obstruct the use of Sears Island for marine transportation purposes, or forever foreclose the State of Maine's maritime options an Sears Island, or reduce the potential of the Port of Searsport to fully serve the economic needs of the Bangor region and the ci[laerm of Maine. 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