A new route into Eastport that would include a rail line was again pitched at the September 21 meeting of the Eastport Port Authority board, with representatives from the Passamaquoddy tribal government at Sipayik, who are supportive of the proposal, in attendance.
     Chris Gardner, executive director of the port authority, explained that a 2009 study examining bringing a rail line to connect the port to the rest of the world had considered a transload facility in Perry. Then in 2014 and 2015 the port authority floated a plan for a bridge from Perry to Eastport that could also include a rail line and that could replace the current Route 190 causeway into Eastport so that there would not be all of the truck traffic to the port running through the middle of Sipayik.
     Gardner noted that the construction of the causeway reduced the tidal flow in Half Moon Cove and diminished the marine life there. Possible options include breaching the causeway with culverts or flapper gates or removal of the causeway and constructing an arch bridge. But he noted that if a bridge were to be built, a better location should be considered. "We're the deepest port in the continental United States -- without a railroad, and really without a road." Presently about 36,000 trucks a year go through Pleasant Point carrying wood pulp to the port; with wood chip shipments, that number could increase to at least 46,000 trucks a year. "They go past the elementary school, through the reservation, past the ball diamond. We don't have an ample road for the port," said Gardner.
     A new bridge could include both a road and rail line, Gardner said, with two options being considered: the former toll bridge site and one closer to Pleasant Point that would connect Johnson Point in Perry with Carlow's Island. Since the toll bridge location has issues concerning wetlands and residential areas, the bridge to Carlow's Island would be preferred. Noting that Route 190 had been put through the reservation without agreement from the tribe, he commented, "It was Pleasant Point for a reason. Now it's Pleasant Thoroughfare." Gardner maintained that the proposal "could solve the economic needs of the port, right a cultural wrong, as it returns Pleasant Point to being Pleasant Point" and also help with restoring the ecosystem of the Half Moon Cove area. "The environmental, economic and cultural lines can all cross at once," he said.
     As for acquiring the land, Gardner said that the proposed route would require dealing with the fewest number of landowners. A large portion of the needed land in Perry is owned by the tribe, with the tribal government indicating support for the route. Another section in Perry is owned by a willing seller, and a portion of the Carlow's Island section is owned by a developer in Miami. "With four landowners, you can get to Route 190" and then into Eastport, he said. The rail line then could follow Route 190 until the airport and then head to the Estes Head port terminal. In Perry, the new route would connect with Route 1 a little south of the Polar Treat.
     With the tribe "getting traction" on the issue of the causeway and if the federal government is interested in constructing a bridge, "I think it's a great opportunity for the port and the city." He notes that the federal government is now ushering through a massive infrastructure bill, which could provide the funding.
     Gardner suggested bringing the proposal to the Eastport City Council and then having a joint meeting of the city council, Passamaquoddy tribal council and the port authority to consider the plan.
     During the meeting, Passamaquoddy Vice Chief Ernie Neptune of Sipayik said the tribal government "is very much in support of this project." An agreement between the tribal government and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a nearly $1 million feasibility study to look at alternatives for the causeway is ready to be signed. The tribal government would be responsible for $64,500 for the study. Alternatives include installing culverts, removal of the causeway and building a bridge. The study could take about two years. "We're looking at ecosystem restoration," he noted.
     He said a non-binding referendum would be held at Sipayik to see how tribal members feel about the proposal, but he predicted there would be "overwhelming support."
     Board member Bob Peacock noted that, before the causeway was built, herring used to come into inner Cobscook Bay through Half Moon Cove, with weirs catching fish farther inside the bay. "The causeway has definitely had a huge impact on the flow of fish coming in," he said.
     Ed Bassett, the contact person for the tribal government on the causeway project, said the tribal government will be reaching out to Eastport and Perry for input on the options. He stated that working on the different angles -- ecosystem restoration, economic benefits for the port and the rerouting of traffic that is going through Pleasant Point -- will need "to be done with some finesse." The tribe has sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland about removing the causeway and finding a new route into Eastport, he noted.
     Gardner added that U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins and Congressman Jared Golden are aware of the proposal. "It is very much in the machine right now," he said. "If we're all on the same sheet of music right now, it's hard to be ignored."
     Following the discussion, the port authority board voted unanimously to support the proposal.

Tugboat sold
     In other business at the September 21 meeting, the board voted to sell the tugboat Jane McAllister for $90,000. The tug had been purchased by the port authority for around $48,000 about six years ago. Gardner noted that the port authority needs to meet the Coast Guard's new Subchapter M certification requirements for the vessel and "we can't get it out of the water in Maine" to get it inspected. "Until shipping returns, I don't know that it makes sense to keep two large tugs," Gardner said. Funds from the sale can be used both to get the tug Ahoskie inspected and to repair the smaller tug Abaco so it can be put back to use. That should cost around $10,000.
     Shipping has started to rebound, with three vessels loading wood chips at the port. "We should start to see multiple ships a month now," he said, hoping that the tonnage for the year may be near the 100,000 ton mark.
     Oceania Cruises' vessel Insignia is planning to visit Eastport in 2022 and 2023, and Destination North America may help with shore excursions, since the cruise ship may have between 400 and 600 passengers.
     The floats on the north side of the breakwater will be removed sometime around October 1 or possibly later, depending on the weather. The floats may be lifted out of the water and stacked on top of each other on the breakwater for the winter.
     Eastport Health Care has requested a month-to-month lease of the Welcome Center for more COVID-19 vaccine clinics.