On September 1, 2022, Justice Robert Murray ruled in favor of Nordic Aquafarms upholding the project authorizations issued by the City of Belfast and the Bureau of Parks and Lands for the Nordic project.
In September of 2020, the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) granted Nordic the Submerged Lands and Dredging Leases needed for the installation of intake and outfall pipes. Jeffrey Mabee & Judith Grace, Wayne Canning, David Black, and the Maine Lobstering Union appealed the BPL decision in October 2020. Per Justice Murray, the original decision by the BPL was AFFIRMED, and both appeals were DENIED.
In December of 2021, the City of Belfast Planning Board approved all five of the permits required for Nordic’s aquafarm project. Upstream Watch failed to demonstrate that it would suffer any injury from the City permits when it appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Justice Murray DISMISSED the entirety of Upstream Watch’s appeal because of its failure to properly appeal to the ZBA.
The facts and reasoning were thoroughly outlined, communicating the history and applicable laws surrounding both cases. “Nordic prevails again, no further permit appeals are pending in Superior Court”, said Brenda Chandler, Interim CEO/CFO.
“In the three years since applications for permits were submitted, we’ve seen them approved on all three levels- city, state, and federal,” continues Chandler. “Our project has been thoroughly vetted by every regulatory, municipal, and judicial body and in every challenge to date, the positive results demonstrate the integrity of our permits and project. Each day brings us closer to the production of ultra-fresh, sustainably raised, healthy seafood and we remain steadfast in our commitment to Belfast.”