“Voices of Frenchman Bay, Part One” features Graham Platner, owner-operator of Frenchman Bay Oyster Company, and Aaron Dority, Executive Director of Frenchman Bay Conservancy. This video was directed by Chek Wingo, and written and produced by Kelsey Buckley and Chek Wingo.
As of April 2022, American Aquafarms’ permit application has been terminated, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. Even if this is the end of the American Aquafarms project, it is reasonable to expect other large-scale and ill-advised development projects will be proposed for Frenchman Bay and the surrounding region in the coming years. You can still take action on this issue by contacting Governor Janet Mills.
Letter of Opposition
In a letter to Governor Janet Mills, dated November 18, 2021, Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) and 22 undersigned organizations and area businesses opposed the industrial scale salmon farm proposed by American Aquafarms (AA) and requested the applications for the project be denied.
“On May 17, 2021, FBC requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act on the AA project before any final decision is rendered on that application. Regulatory review of the AA application has not progressed yet to the federal level and the USACE EIS decision is pending. Subsequently, based on careful review of available information we conclude the project poses an unacceptable risk of deterioration to unimpaired ecosystems, water resources, wildlife habitat and landscapes in and around Frenchman Bay. For these reasons, the AA application should be denied. We hope you will join us in protecting Frenchman Bay by opposing the application.”
The following 22 organizations and individuals signed this letter.
Read More
Frenchman Bay Conservancy’s response in the news:
Ellsworth American: “Groups ask state to deny salmon farm application”
Ellsworth American: “Army Corps review of salmon farm requested”