The Eastport Port Authority board voted 4-1 to formally endorse the concept plan for a new access route to Eastport at its June 15 meeting. The motion noted that the board believes that the plan "coincides with the long-term cultural, environmental and economic interests of the Port of Eastport, City of Eastport, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Town of Perry and the State of Maine as a whole." The port authority's executive director, Chris Gardner, was authorized to work on behalf of the board to further the plan's development, keeping the board aware of any decisions that require further board approval.
     The dissenting vote was cast by City Manager Elaine Abbott, who stated that she was opposed to the wording of the motion. During the board's discussion, she said that, at the stakeholders meeting about the new road and bridge held on May 6, those at the meeting looked at "expanding the port exponentially." She asked what the port authority's long-term plan is with a new road. Noting that one of the stakeholders at the meeting had told her to look at a port like Rotterdam, Netherlands, in order to see all of the impacts from such a development, including crime, noise and loss of clean air, she commented, "The city needs to really understand what happens to this city."
      Board member Bob Peacock, who is a ship's pilot, said, "There is no way we could become like Rotterdam," which handles 200 ships a day, covers 41 square miles and has oil refineries, since "we don't have the space or the facilities to do that."
Gardner commented, "We immediately go to the worst-case scenario to prevent going down the road to progress." He added, "To think I would lead this area into the mouth of a bear trap for no good reason, I see as insulting."
     The port authority, though, has been eyeing Prince Rupert, B.C., as an example of how a small port could compete with large industrial ports. The British Columbia port, which is a small community with a water depth similar to Eastport's 64-foot pier depth, is expanding to be able to handle 1.3 million containers a year. Because the Port of Eastport does not require any expensive dredging, unlike other East Coast ports, the port authority has been looking to attract the Capesize class of ships, which have a draft of over 50 feet, and large Post-Panamax ships, with the increase in the lock dimensions of the Panama Canal.
      At the meeting, board member Mary Repole, the city council president, pointed out that the motion is just showing the board's support for a new road. Gardner said if the plan doesn't end up providing a rail line to the port, which would allow for significant port growth, the new access route itself would be a win, since it would eliminate truck traffic through the middle of Pleasant Point. When wood chip shipments begin, there will be an additional 4,000 or more truck trips a year both into and out of the port. Also, the new bridge would allow for the opening up or removal of the causeway, and Gardner said that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers views the causeway "as an environmental disaster" because of the harm caused to Half Moon Cove by the lack of tidal action.
     "We have to accomplish stage one before we can talk about stage two," Gardner said. "Right now we are limited by the truck traffic." He stated, "The port owes it to our community partners to at least try," since increase in truck traffic will have a negative effect on a number of communities.
     The engineering firm CES Inc. has estimated that an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the access route might cost just over $500,000, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration is interested in funding the study, Gardner said. However, Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) Commissioner David Bernhardt, who was at the meeting, commented that he had never seen an EIS completed for less than $12 million. The estimated $500,000 "will maybe get you to whether it's even doable," he said. He also cautioned that the port will need to see an increase in truck traffic before the Army Corps of Engineers would approve the project, since the agency won't approve a proposal "based on what you expect may happen."
     Gardner felt the EIS should look at three options: keeping the present route; constructing a bridge between Carlow's Island and Johnson Point in Perry, which is the preferred route; or installing one at the site of the former Toll Bridge, which he believes would not be feasible. He added that the board would have to support more motions if the project proceeds, and Bernhardt commented that the EIS process will include "super-duper public involvement."

Other business
     Following the engineering inspection of the fish pier by Childs Engineering, which found that the structure is in good shape, the board approved accepting the transfer of the fish pier's ownership from the city to the port authority, with board members Repole and Abbott abstaining.
     Since the base for the crane on the fish pier failed its lift test, a new base will need to be installed. A local contractor, Wayne Clossey, estimated that the work can be done for under $4,000.
     The port authority will apply for funding through the Northern Border Regional Commission for the replacement of the breakwater float system. The award could be for up to $250,000, with the estimated cost being $300,000 or less.      The U.S. Coast Guard vessels have been relocated to the site of the finger piers with a new ramp. The Coast Guard will reimburse the port authority for the $9,000 cost and will pay $408 a month for float rental and maintenance costs.
Concerning property insurance for the breakwater, Gardner said that the MDOT believes it should be insured for $15 million, which could cost the port authority $150,000 for the premium. As an alternative, he proposed insuring the breakwater, fish pier and Estes Head pier for between $13 and $15 million. A proposal will be brought to the board next month.
     Gardner reported that it appears unlikely that a Navy ship will be in Eastport for the Fourth. The next cruise ship visit will be on Thursday, July 2.
     The board approved the transfer of portions of five parcels owned by the port authority to MDOT for the new port access road. Construction is expected to begin in August. The board also approved selling up to 20,000 cubic yards of rock that is near the port terminal to MDOT for the new road at the market price of approximately $10/cubic yard.
     Concerning the port authority truck that was damaged in an accident and declared a total loss, Gardner reported that the truck can be bought back from the insurance company for $2,100 and repaired for $3,000. With insurance providing $9,000, the port authority will retain $3,900 in proceeds. However, it will take nearly a month to have the truck repaired, so the board agreed to purchase for $1,000 one of the former service vans owned by Richard Clark, a port authority employee, so that he can have a vehicle during the interim period.
     The board agreed to provide $500 for City Manager Elaine Abbott's trip to Denmark to participate in a study tour on sustainable development.
     The tugboat Jane McAllister, which the port authority is chartering from McAllister Towing and Transportation Company for $1,000 a month, is now berthed at the Estes Head terminal.
     The board approved the salary and bonus for Gardner that had been discussed at the port authority's annual meeting in January. His salary for 2015 will be $84,000, and he was given a $16,000 bonus. At the end of 2013 Gardner's salary had been raised to $80,000, and at that time he was also given a $45,000 bonus. At the June 15 meeting, Gardner noted that while the bonus has been authorized he does not have to accept it.
     In an executive session, Stephean Chute of Phyto-Charter LLC told the board about possible new private investment to acquire the phytosanitation equipment for the shipment of wood chips through the port.