Pier Construction Bayside Road

The majority of residents of Shady Nook, a 2-mile shoreline community in Trenton, ME, stand opposed to the construction of the pier, ramp and float proposed at 1415 Bayside Road on the Union River Bay.

We respectfully request that the Maine DEP and Town of Trenton officials, code enforcement and planning board consider our concerns regarding that application.

Our community has been here for generations and while we welcome new neighbors, we want to preserve the natural resources, footpaths and shoreline courses used by all to recreate in our area.

Residents of the surrounding Shady Nook community have a strong "neighborhood ethic". While no covenant exists, historic uses - in many cases by the same families over five and six generations (some well over 100 years) - have maintained the area's waterfront friendliness. "Shady Nookers" regularly paddle to and tie up on their neighbors' shores for visits.  

Impact:

• Permanent and partial obstruction of resident's views across and down the bay looking at Surry, Newberry Neck and Ellsworth

• Impedes shoreline and beach access by foot, a path traveled for generations

• Prevents safe shoreline recreational paddling (kayak, canoe, paddle board) – enthusiasts will need to enter deep water and currents to go around the structure

• Impediment of waterway boating navigation routes used by residents

• The Alternatives Analysis, Exhibit 2 of the application does not require exception as all area residents and boaters have the the same approximate shoreline conditions and water access without pier construction. Given that in all of Shady Nook, anyone with a boat utilizes moorings and uses a dinghy for access from their property, a 195-foot pier would displace that ethic and would result in dramatic change of the neighborhood's character.

• The Ellsworth Marina, referred to as the town dock, is a 5-mile boat ride. Local residents use that marina to fuel, haul and maintain their boats. Slipped and sheltered moorings are available there.

• Sets a precedent for development of pier and dock construction along the Shady Nook waterfront

• A decrease in property value for abutting neighbors and surrounding residents. This could be argued for a decrease in taxable rates for residents abutting the structure.

• Per the NRPA and a history of other Hancock County cases like Uliano v. Board of Environmental Protection, the DEP and State Board of Environmental Protection, can reject applications on the grounds that the pier would have an adverse impact on the scenic and aesthetic qualities of the area and the local residents viewshed.

The precedent and construction of large, expensive projects will further income disparity within the area, allowing those with means to build structures that increase their property value while decreasing the property value of more moderate income neighbors as well their ability to enjoy and recreate on those properties. 

• Off-gassing and chemical seepage from materials used in construction have a proven impact on the water and environment.

• Scientific data supports the environmental impact of piers on supporting invasive species

Shoreline armouring and overwater structures often compromise fish habitats. These threats to nearshore fish habitats will become more severe as growing coastal populations and rising sea levels increase demands for shoreline infrastructure.

In Washington State, the Northwest Straits Foundation is partnering with local, state, federal, and private entities, to help landowners find ways to remove overwater structures and shoreline armor while protecting property. To date, Northwest Straits efforts have restored 10,846 linear feet of shoreline habitat; and removal of shoreline shading and armoring now exceeds new efforts to place new armor.

We ask the DEP and town of Trenton to help us protect our beautiful Shady Nook shoreline community, natural environment and preserve our landscape now and for our future generations to enjoy.


Resources:


Press about Shady Nook: (link) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IkKsoXMKk85buP1T2JXQ7djc5u7_QOG2/view?usp=sharing, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1knBDzMyC5ZpP3_a-kzUQceFYjTxB8vlS/view?usp=sharing

Map of Shady Nook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10EO_u0g74rnsQzGj9uQXNEsVTC6v6ZGL/view?usp=sharing

Update #1vor 2 Jahren
Update: The results of this petition and the live results link were shared with Maine DEP on 4/27/21. We welcome additional support. We will provide updates as we get more information.

Thank you!
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