Senator Ben Chipman introduces bill to invest in and protect Portland working waterfront

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, Senator Ben Chipman, D-Portland, introduced a bill that would raise money to invest in and protect the Portland working waterfront. The bill, LD 987, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for the Portland Harbor Commercial Revitalization Project’s Confined Aquatic Disposal Cell and Dredging Projects,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.

“The Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) cell and maintenance dredge will promote commercial economic growth, maintain the working waterfront and greatly improve the water quality allowing the marine industry to continue to grow supporting the entire Maine economy,” said Senator Chipman. “As the primary economic driver in the Greater Portland area, if the working waterfront falters, it will have a serious negative economic effect across the state. The marine industry employs 2,400 people in Portland Harbor alone, and without this project, the working waterfront in Portland Harbor is in serious peril.”

LD 987 proposes a bond of $28 million to raise money to pay for the critical work that is needed to rehabilitate the area, through the construction of a CAD cell and a maintenance dredge. The cost of this project is projected at nearly $30 million. The users and owners of the waterfront would provide the difference.

The bill faces further action in committee.

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