Bill to protect Camp Ellis is a team effort

The recently approved legislative bill, LD 1644, to streamline protective measures for Camp Ellis, Ferry Beach and Kinney Shoreline, is living proof of the kind of success that happens when a team works together.

Saco citizens are fortunate to have dedicated department heads and talented citizens who were able to explain to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee the difficulties faced by the City of Saco, its coastal property owners and businesses.

Rick Michaud, city administrator, Pat Fox, public works director and Rick Millard, a member of the Saco Shoreline Commission, and I attended the public hearing for LD 1644 several weeks ago in Augusta. We all testified before the committee along with Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, who sponsored the bill on behalf of the city, Rep. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, and Charles Lawton, chief economist for Planning Decisions, Inc.

Lawton had been hired by the City of Saco in 2010 to conduct a study of the economic impact on Saco resulting from erosion caused by the Army Corps’ construction of the jetty in 1869.

It was apparent from the questions asked by committee members and by Department of Environmental Protection representatives that the city needed an environmental expert to represent our interest. We hired environmental lawyer David Van Slyke from the law firm of Preti Flaherty. Over the following weeks, the city administrator, public works director, Millard and I met frequently with the Department of Environmental Protection, state agencies and Van Slyke to resolve the state’s concerns.

After two committee workshops, we were able to address the committee and DEP concerns, and the bill, unanimously approved, passed out of committee on Feb. 20. The bill must now be passed by the Maine House and Senate, and signed into law by the governor.

This team effort has produced a favorable outcome for our coastal residents. We will continue to work together to complete the federal mitigation project.

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