Councilor House requested this topic be brought up.  The Council has traditionally not gotten involved in discussing specific projects, however, Mr. House maintained, the Broadwater project is fairly unique and has the potential to impact many different fisheries in Long Island Sound.  

DEC has recently issued a notice of incomplete application to the Broadwater project, based on the fact that the project's disinfection process may significantly impact the eggs and larva of many marine creatures in the Sound.  The Department wants the Broadwater applicant to do a fuller job of assessing these possible impacts.  Further, the project location is a prime area for lobsters.  The "no go" security zone to be established one-half mile on either side of the tankers coming and going to the plant in the eastern Sound will force barges, tugs and other large commercial vessels to go south of a currently buoy-free zone, through areas that are heavy with lobster gear and/or are important recreational fishing areas.   

After a brief discussion of the project and its potential negative impacts on Long Island Sound, Councilor House made a motion for Chairman Wise to write a letter on behalf of the Council to Governor Spitzer and the Secretary of State expressing the Council's opposition to the Broadwater project because of the above-described and other environmental concerns. Councilor Danielson seconded the motion.

Mr. Charles DeQuillfeldt of the DEC said that the Department has also voiced their concerns as well about the Broadwater project.  They estimated the potential for the loss of 270 million eggs, larvae and juvenile fish.  Connecticut’s Governor has written to Governor Spitzer expressing her concern about the project.  The Secretary of State is scheduled to rule by 12 February 2008 on whether the Broadwater project is consistent or not with State coastal zone policies.  This consistency determination has been postponed several times.  The Department of State may defer it again as it awaits DEC’s determination regarding the incomplete application.  Mr. House's motion on the letters to Governor Spitzer and the NYS Secretary of State was adopted; the vote was 8 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstentions.

Councilor Mason requested that, at the next Council meeting, the misreporting of 20,000 lbs. of commercial landings from New Jersey (they were reported as being landed in New York), and what can be done about recouping those fish for New York, be discussed.

 

Page last modified Wednesday, February 27, 2008 by George E. Carroll