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From: Judith Alexander [jalex@prexar.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 2:37 PM
To: Jack Cashman
Subject: LNG
Thank you for your response to my inquiry of the feasibility of LNG being located in this area. As I mentioned on the phone, I'm simply gathering information in order to make a presentation to the City Council. I have the following initial questions. Some answers may prompt more questions and ask your indulgence.
Will the LNG company be open to input from the localities where the tanks and surrounding land area necessary for such placement in order to satisfy congenial co-existence?
What are the land area requirements for the area necessary for the tank(s)?
Will there be an issue with Canada since passage into our bay at Head Harbor is (I have been told) Canadian waters or are there certain marine navigational rights?
Will there be an adverse impact on the ecology and perhaps on our St. Croix Island and the National Park Service if the facility placement would be in close proximity to that area?
I do not believe there is a viable pier in Robbinston or in the lower part of Calais -- would this be an issue (because of additional cost in pier construction)?
As I mentioned, depending on location of the facility, the distance would be within 20 miles of the pump station in Baileyville. If the Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge land were to be part of the corridor where the pipeline would be built to join the Baileyville connection, would this create a prohibitive problem?
If the State of Maine owns Sears Island, which I believe has been indicated to be the ideal site, why doesn't the State allow the project to go ahead on that site?
Please don't get me wrong. Personally, I would like to see someting like this happen in this area in order to allow Washington County to be a growing and prolific area and not continue to be the economically repressed area of Maine that it has been for too many years. Although I am not a tree hugger, we do need to be sure that we do not harm some of the momentum already begun with our Heritage Center, St. Croix Island Nation Park exhibits, Devils Head, etc.
I don't know how the Council feels regarding this issue, but I need some information on impact to the area, tax base, feasibility, and jobs. It is my understanding that the Robbinston Planning Board is meeting tonight. I'm not sure that LNG is the topic to be discussed, but I suspect it is.
Thank you for your help and hopefully two problems can be solved -- LNG finding a site and Washington County getting an economic boost through jobs and tax base.
Sincerely,
Judy Alexander
jalex @prexar.com
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