Monhegan Historic Property Assessment to Begin on Monday 11/13:
Representatives from the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL), Inc., a cultural resource management company, will be on Monhegan Island beginning on Monday, November 13th to conduct an historic property assessment, a requirement of Maine Aqua Ventus’ National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and Environmental Assessment.
If you have historical information that you would be willing to share, PAL representatives are eager to speak with you. PAL invites you to join them in the field as they work to locate and record properties that are at least 50 years old. PAL representative Melissa Andrade can be reached by calling (508) 567-8269, or Steve Olausen at (401) 288-6321.
This process will be used to assess any potential effects of the MAV project on properties that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The results of the assessment will be used to inform consultation among the U.S. Department of Energy, the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, and other consulting parties and to resolve any potential effects that the Project may have on historic properties pursuant to Section 106 regulations from the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
The survey will be conducted according to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission’s (MHPC) Aboveground Cultural Resource Survey Manual, Guidelines for Identification: Architecture and Cultural Landscapes, Federal and State Regulatory Project Review Specific (MHPC 2013).
PAL representatives plan to come to Monhegan Island on the Monday, November 13 ferry and return to the mainland on Friday, November 17.
Monhegan Plantation Special Meeting Results:
The Monhegan Plantation held a Special Plantation Meeting on November 2nd regarding the Community Benefit Agreement from MAV. The following articles passed with no votes opposed, thereby approving the “Fund Option” and directing the Community Benefits Advisory Committee to continue to assist in implementation. See below.
“Art. 2. To see if the voters of Monhegan approve the “Fund Option” community benefit package as detailed in the Final Community Benefits Advisory Committee (“CBAC”) Report to the Assessors dated October 2, 2017, and authorize the Assessors to sign and take such reasonably necessary and appropriate actions to implement the Community Benefit Agreement(s) on behalf of Monhegan Plantation consistent with the Fund Option and in substantial conformance to the Community Benefit Agreement(s) attached to this Warrant.
A copy of the Final CBAC Report to the Assessors dated October 2, 2017, and a copy of the form of the Community Benefit Agreement(s) are on file at the municipal office and made available at the Post Office, L. Brackett & Son, Monhegan Energy Task Force (METF) Facebook page, METF newsletter, and www.monheganplantation.com.
Art. 3. To see if the voters of Monhegan will authorize and direct the Community Benefits Advisory Committee to monitor and provide advisory assistance to the Board of Assessors in implementing a Fund Option Community Benefit Package and Agreement.”
Update from MAV on Subsea Geophysical Survey (11/3/17):
In response to feedback received from the Zone D fishing community and the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Aqua Ventus (MAV) is delaying its subsea geophysical survey between Port Clyde and Monhegan Test Site. The survey, initially scheduled for November 2017, will instead move to early January 2018. Our goal is to minimize potential impact and provide ample time for the fishing community to prepare for the survey.
We believe that adequate advance notice was not provided to the fishing community for the November survey dates. Please accept our apologies for this inadvertent oversight. We are delaying the survey from Port Clyde to the Monhegan Test Site even though it comes at a considerable financial cost. We remain committed to moving forward in a manner that includes involvement and guidance by local communities and fishermen.
Please consider this as official notice for the survey in January with the survey route provided as an attachment. We will send additional information by postal mail.
We know there have been many legitimate questions about how this or future projects could affect fishing traditions, and we are redoubling our efforts to listen to your concerns and suggestions. Please get in touch with us at any time, and plan on attending future informational forums.
