Safeguarding the marine environment.

Although CLF's historic efforts to protect and promote a healthy marine environment have focused mainly on New England's rich fishing heritage, increasing demands on our oceans make today's advocacy ever-more complex. Overfishing has jeopardized fish stocks and inflicted widespread damage on marine habitats. Increasing energy needs have caused natural gas and renewable energy developers to pursue offshore and coastal energy projects. Onshore demographic pressure has led to sprawling coastal developments that dump polluting stormwater into the ocean. CLF's advocacy therefore must not look at the marine environment through just one lens, but many.

Massachusetts Ocean Management Initiative

In 2003, Governor Romneyestablished the Ocean Management Task Force to review ocean management in the Commonwealth. Following a nine-month review, the Task Force called for the enactment of legislation mandating the development of an ocean management plan to promote sustainable use of state ocean resources while protecting the marine ecosystem. CLF, a member of the Task Force, strongly supports many provisions of a recently filed ocean management bill, and is working with the legislature to strengthen provisions to promote the responsible siting of offshore renewable energy projects as part of the management framework.

Onshore LNG Terminals--Fall River, MA and Passamaquoddy Bay, ME

CLF recently appealed the approval of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Fall River on the grounds that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not adequately address safety issues or undertake a needs assessment for LNG in New England. The proposed site for the terminal is adjacent to five schools, an elderly housing complex and residences for 9000 people, and would require extensive dredging of Narragansett Bay. This map shows the burn zone, should a tanker catch on fire. The pink area shows the radius where buildings would ignite and the peach area shows where people would receive second degree burns within 30 seconds. On Passamaquoddy Bay, two new LNG terminal proposals recently surfaced and CLF will continue its vigilance, ensuring that any proposal in New England is environmentally sound and based on regional needs.

Cape Wind Energy Project--Nantucket Sound

CLF filed comments on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Draft Environmental Impact Statement earlier this year. In the comments, CLF requested that the Final EIS reflect the risks to marine mammals and fish...