Whaling City Information - - Ocean Planning; New Bedford doesn't care

Oct 07 2008

Ocean Planning; New Bedford doesn't care

Written by Dave Gould

Tuesday, 07 October 2008

NEW BEDFORD, MA - Last night at the New Bedford public library, a public meeting was held representing two Massachusetts advisory committees, met with about three dozen people from the New Bedford area. Recently Deval Patrick and the state legislature created the state office(s) of Ocean Advisory Commission and Science Advisory Council who will be working with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Together, these offices were created to figure out how to utilize the coastal water of Massachusetts for either energy production or aquaculture. Their decisions, when made in late 2009, could have devastating consequences on New Bedford's defacto business of fishing and possibly open water previously used by fishing boats to windmills, tidal generators or large scale open ocean fish farms. Considering this, it was odd that the only representative of New Bedford's various governmental and regulatory bodies was Kathrine Rollins; Mayor Lang's dower office assistant. At the very least I expected our Harbor Development Commissioner, Kristin Decas, to at least peek her head in to provide proof that she even cares.
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- The state officials opened with a small Power Point presentation outlining their various phases that will eventually end up as regulatory law. Right now they are in the citizen input phase. Last night's meeting was quick as it rapidly descended into one group vs. another group worrying about where birds fly and whether or not they would get knocked in the head by a windmill. Rasmussen of the Coalition for Buzzard's Bay made an intelligent argument regarding the lack of data of flight patterns of Buzzards Bay Turns and other small birds. Mr. Childs, of Patriot Energy, a company that hopes to place windmills in Buzzards Bay made a similarly intelligent speech demonstrating their intent and concern for the birds. He also explained why Buzzards Bay was the best place in Massachusetts for siting a wind farm. As far as the average electric paying citizen is concerned, a non-issue on both counts.

Also speaking was Captain O'Malley of the New Bedford fishing vessel Fearless. It was clear to me that he had genuine concern for whales and he was concerned that they could be harmed by underwater power generating turbines. Jim Kendall, a former fisherman and current fishing consultant, had concerns regarding rumors that fishing was to be regulated out of existence. Even if the rumors are not true, then he was further concerned that power systems and large open ocean nets would further limit the areas open to commercial fishermen. Jim Kendall was understated when he used the term rumor. Such musings are more than a rumor. The two previous articles on Whalingcity.info will provide a good insight into where the federal government will taking the commercial fishing industry in the short years to come.

The most intelligent speaker of the evening was State Representative William Strauss of Mattapoisett. He pointed to Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which protects the water as a resource for the people. He argued that no project could go forward in “the peoples waters” with a 2/3's vote from the legeslature. Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution reads as follows; The people shall have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic qualities of their environment; and the protection of the people in their right to the conservation, development and utilization of the agricultural, mineral, forest, water, air and other natural resources is hereby declared to be a public purpose.

What happens off the coast of New Bedford is of great importance to all who live on her shores. It is a shame that our local government apparently has zero interest in helping the state government develop the plan to the advantage of New Bedford. Kathrine Rollins maybe an intelligent person, however, she is not a scientist nor a fisherwoman or an elected or appointed individual. It doesn't send a good message that New Bedford's government is on top of these important developments. Lastly, only two fishermen attended the meeting. What was up with that? The federal and state government will push for the next generational use of the nations coastal waters. Whether New Bedford's government is involved or New Bedford fisherman are involved, it will happen. Lets hope that local people aren't asleep at the wheel... again...

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