Taylor Grendell, a Unity College graduate student, came to Friends of Sears Island last fall to see if we could work with her to develop a master’s degree capstone project that would provide useful information, while helping her to earn her degree. We quickly agreed to a project that would help us to better understand how the proposed wind port development might affect the experience of people who visit Sears Island. Her work would also explore the possible environmental loss if 100 acres of carbon-sequestering forest were removed, and the economic impact of losing an important natural and recreational attraction.
Taylor designed an online survey that would gather both quantitative and qualitative data and launched it in mid-December. FOSI and other organizations helped spread the word by email, social media postings, and other strategies, resulting in more than 300 responses when the survey closed on January 15, 2024. Although Taylor’s report will not be complete until March, our preliminary review of the data clearly shows how powerfully people prefer the idea of developing the port on Mack Point and preserving Sears Island – if it is determined that such a port is needed in Penobscot Bay.
Here are a few initial observations:
- More than 80% believe it is “very important” or “extremely important” to switch to renewable energy sources.
- Nearly 88% believe preserving native habitats and forests is “extremely important.”
- 81% believe the port development on Sears Island will affect their experience.
- 66% believe the port would cause them to visit the island less frequently.
Many people took the time to offer very thoughtful comments to the open-ended questions. Here are a few of them:
- “I would prefer Mack Point as the location for the wind port. While I am still concerned about the destruction of marine life, if the environmental benefits of the wind port outweigh the negatives, I am favorable to this development on Mack [Point].”
- “Sears Island is my go-to place for walking in nature, being near water. I appreciate how little traffic there is by the causeway—right now, it feels safe and quiet and as intact as a natural area can. The feeling of the island would change drastically if it were to be developed for the offshore wind facility.”
- “Protecting the environment is going to yield conflicts. Sometimes you have to weigh the options. I personally feel that Mack Point is the better choice, as it is already highly developed.”
Taylor’s full report will be completed by mid-March and published on FriendsOfSearsIsland.org.
Alliance for Sears Island 