department of marine resources timothy ehle & isaac lash ......2019/12/19 · report...

Ehle & Lash (Cranberry Island, Muscongus Bay) December 19, 2019

Department of Marine Resources

Site Review

Timothy Ehle & Isaac Lash

255 Four Rod Road

Warren, ME 04864

Figure 1: Vicinity map1

Location: East of Cranberry Island, Muscongus Bay, Friendship, Knox County, Maine

Purpose: Experimental lease for the suspended culture of sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), skinny

kelp (Saccharina angustissima2), and dulse (Palmaria palmata3)

Site Review by: Flora Drury

Report Preparation by: Flora Drury, Marcy Nelson, and Jon Lewis December 19, 2019

1All figures in this report were created in ArcMap version 10.6 using digitized NOAA Nautical Charts or geo-referenced aerial

photographs provided by The Maine Office of GIS (orthoCoastalCentralCoast2003and2005). 2 In the application, skinny kelp was referred to as a morphotype of Saccharina latissima (Saccharina latissima forma angustissima). Skinny kelp is now considered a separate species (Saccharina angustissima) and will be referred to in this report as such. 3 In application, dulse was referred to as “Palmeria palmata”


On October 21, 2019, Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Scientist Flora Drury

visited the proposed experimental aquaculture lease. MDMR staff arrived on site at 12:35 pm; the

tide was flooding.

The applicant is requesting 3.854 acres east of Cranberry Island in Muscongus Bay, in the Town of

Friendship, for the suspended culture of marine algae. The applicant is requesting to culture kelp on

1,000-foot horizontal longlines suspended approximately 7 feet below the surface of the water. At a

minimum, the applicant proposes a 10-foot gap between the deployed longlines.5 Marine algae

species are proposed to be grown on the site from November 1st to April 15th, annually.6 According

to the application, all gear would be removed from the site during the offseason.7

General Characteristics

The proposed lease occupies subtidal waters between Cranberry and Otter Islands in Muscongus Bay, in

the Town of Friendship (Figure 1, Images 1-8). Cranberry Island, which is located to the west of the site,

hosts a rocky shoreline and uplands composed of shrub and a mixed forest. Three houses were observed

along the eastern shoreline of Cranberry Island, adjacent to the proposed lease. A house and a dock were

also observed on Otter Island to the southeast, and Joe’s Island to the southwest.

Image 1: Facing south-southwest towards Joe’s Island from the center of

the proposed lease site (October 21, 2019).

4 Applicant originally requested 4 acres. MDMR calculations, based on the provided coordinates,

indicate the area is 3.85 acres. 5 App, pages 21-22 6 App, page 5 7 App, page 6


Image 2: Facing southwest towards Cranberry Island from the center of

the proposed lease site (October 21, 2019).

Image 3: Facing west towards Cranberry Island from the center of the

proposed lease site (October 21, 2019).


Image 4: Facing northwest towards the northern tip of Cranberry Island

from the center of the proposed lease site (October 21, 2019).

Image 5: Facing north from the center of the proposed lease site (October

21, 2019).


Image 6: Facing northeast from the center of the proposed lease site

(October 21, 2019).

Image 7: Facing east towards Otter Island from the center of the proposed

lease site (October 21, 2019).


Image 8: Facing south from the center of the proposed lease site (October

21, 2019).

Depth

The bottom of the proposed lease site was observed to be mostly flat, except for the northern end, which

decreased in depth. At the time of MDMR’s site assessment, depths at the corners of the proposed lease

site ranged from 18.5 feet at the NW Corner to 39 feet at the SE Corner, as measured with a transom-

mounted depth sounder. MDMR staff observed the depths of the proposed lease site at approximately

12:40 pm. Low tide, with a height of 1.36 feet above mean low water (MLW), was predicted to occur

at 10:42 am. Correcting for tidal variation derives water depths approximately 1.8 feet lower at the

nearest low water (16.7-37.2 feet), and therefore approximately 3.2 feet lower (15.3-35.8 feet) at mean

low water (0.0 feet).

Table 1: Tide predictions at Friendship Harbor, Maine (43.9700° N, 69.3417° W)8

Date Time Height (ft.)

10/21/19 4:37 AM 8.66 H

10/21/19 10:42 AM 1.36 L

10/21/19 4:50 PM 9.43 H

Position and Distances to Shore

POSAID Positioning Software was used to verify the distances and bearings between proposed

lease corners. Distances to shore were determined using the measuring tool in ArcMap 10.6,

digital orthophotography provided by the Maine Office of GIS (unless otherwise noted), and the

application coordinates.

8 http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi


WGS84 Coordinates – 3.85 acres (Figure 2)

Corner Latitude Longitude

NW 43° 56’ 15” N 69° 20’ 53.6” W then 163.74 feet at 137.91o True to

NE 43° 56’ 13.8” N 69° 20’ 52.1” W then 1,086.04 feet at 219.30o True to

SE 43° 56’ 5.5” N 69° 21’ 1.5” W then 142.37 feet at 304.68o True to

SW 43° 56’ 6.3” N 69° 21’ 3.1” W then 1,122.20 feet at 38.27o True to NW.

Figure 2: Proposed lease area.

Table 2: Approximate Distances to Shore (Figures 1 & 2)

NW Corner to Nearest Point, Cranberry Island (MLW) ~390 feet to the west

NE Corner to Morse Ledge (MLW) ~2,300 feet to the northeast

NE to Nearest Point, Otter Island (MLW) ~1,360 feet to the southeast

Southern Boundary to Nearest Point, Joe’s Island (MLW) ~1,330 feet to the southwest

SW Corner to Nearest Point, Cranberry Island (MLW) ~480 feet to the west

Western Boundary to Nearest Point, Cranberry Island (MLW) ~305 feet to the northeast


The criteria MDMR uses to determine the suitability of an experimental aquaculture operation to a

particular area (MDMR Regulations Chapter 2.64(7)(A)) are discussed, with respect to the proposal,

below:

(1) Riparian Owners Ingress and Egress

The proposed lease is located between Cranberry and Otter Islands in Muscongus Bay; Joe’s

Island is located to the southwest of the proposal (Figure 2). During the MDMR site assessment

on October 21, 2019, houses, docks, and moorings were observed along the nearby shorelines.

Figure 2 displays docks and moorings along the shoreline adjacent to the proposed lease; docks

were also observed on the northern tips of Otter and Cranberry Islands. Although not identified

in Figure 2, the closest dock to the proposed lease was located around the northern tip of

Cranberry Island, and not in direct line with the proposed site. This dock was located

approximately 800 feet to the northwest of the proposal. The closest observed dock and mooring

along the southeastern shore of Cranberry Island were located approximately 960 feet and 1,100

feet, respectively, to the southwest of the proposed lease site (Figure 2). It appears that these

distances provide adequate room for riparian access to and from this existing infrastructure.

At the closest point, the western boundary of the proposed lease is located approximately 305

feet to the southeast of the Cranberry Island shoreline at mean low water. One house was

observed on the Cranberry Island uplands immediately west of the proposal. Although access to

this shoreline should not be interrupted by the proposed lease, it is possible that the proposal

would interfere with the installation, and subsequent use of, a dock or mooring along the

adjacent shoreline.

(2) Navigation

The proposed lease is located in navigable waters, known as Otter Island Passage, in Muscongus

Bay. During MDMR’s site visit on October 21, 2019, both commercial and recreational vessels

were observed operating in the general vicinity of the proposed lease; one vessel navigated

through the proposed lease during MDMR’s visit. The proposal is located approximately 1,360

feet to the northeast of Otter Island, and therefore vessels would not be prevented from traversing

Otter Island Passage if the proposed lease is granted. The proposal is located approximately 305

feet from Cranberry Island at the closest point; while some larger vessels might avoid navigating

between the proposal and the Cranberry Island shoreline to the northwest, most vessels that

operate in the area would be able to operate between Cranberry Island and the lease, if granted.

(3) Fishing and Other Water-Related Uses

At the time of MDMR’s site assessment on October 21, 2019, lobster fishing activity was observed

both nearby and within the proposal. Heavy lobster fishing, denoted by the presence of lobster

buoys, was observed to the north of the proposed lease; heavy-to-moderate lobster buoy density

was observed between Cranberry and Otter Islands. Approximately 20 lobster buoys were present

within the bounds of the proposed lease; buoys also surrounded the site in all directions. During


the site visit, MDMR staff observed five lobster boats in operation in the general vicinity of the

proposal.

Although not observed during MDMR’s site visit, it is possible that the area is used by other

commercial and recreational fishermen. The applicant proposes to culture marine algae species on

the site from November 1st to April 15th, annually.9 According to the application, all gear would be

removed from the site during the offseason.10 Lobster fishing, and/or other commercial and

recreational fisheries, should not be impeded by the proposal when gear is removed from the site.

(4) Other Aquaculture Uses

There are no active aquaculture leases or licenses within one mile of the proposed lease area

(Figure 3). The closest active aquaculture activity to the proposal is standard lease MED GI, issued

to Gay Island Oyster Farm for the suspended culture of shellfish. This lease is located

approximately 1.7 miles to the northeast of the proposed lease.

Figure 3: Aquaculture activity near the proposed lease area.

9 App, page 5 10 App, page 6


(5) Existing System Support

Wildlife

According to GIS (Geographic Information System) data maintained by the Maine Department of

Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIF&W) and available through the Maine Office of GIS, the

proposed lease is approximately 275 feet to the east of mapped Tidal Wading Bird and Waterfowl

Habitat (Figure 4). This habitat type is defined under Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act

(NRPA) as Significant Wildlife Habitat.

On July 24, 2019 Rebecca Settele (Wildlife Biologist, MDIF&W) responded, by email, to a “Request

for Agency Review and Comment” stating “Minimal impacts are anticipated for this project”.

Figure 4: Tidal Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat11 near the proposed lease site.

Eelgrass

Historical eelgrass (Zostera marina) data collected by The MDMR indicates that, in 2005, the

closest observed eelgrass to the proposed lease was located approximately 275 feet to the west,

along the Cranberry Island shoreline (Figure 5). Given this distance, the proposed lease operations

are unlikely to shade or disrupt mapped eelgrass beds.

11 Data obtained from MDIWF maintained SDE Feature Class “GISVIEW.MEIFW.Twwh”


Figure 5: Historical eelgrass (Z. marina) in the vicinity of the proposed lease.12

(6) Source of Organisms to be Cultured

The applicant lists Springtide Seaweed, LLC in Gouldsboro, Maine, as the proposed source of

marine algae. This source is approved by MDMR.

(7) Interference with Public Facilities

There are no beaches, parks, or docking facilities owned by federal, state, or municipal government

within 1,000 feet of the proposed lease site (Figure 6).13 The closest conserved land to the proposed

lease is located approximately 310 feet to the west and held in conservation by Medomak Valley

Land Trust.

12 Data obtained from DEP maintained Feature Class available here: https://geolibrary-

maine.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/mainedmr-eelgrass-2010 13 Data obtained from SDE Feature Class sourced from The Maine Office of GIS “GISVIEW.MECONSLANDS.Conserved_Lands”


Figure 6: Conserved lands near the proposed lease site.

department of marine resources timothy ehle & isaac lash ......2019/12/19 · report...

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