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SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 1
Department of Marine Resources
Site Review
Sea Stuff, LLC
Christopher Papkee
15 Leavitt Street
Long Island, ME 04050
Figure 1: Vicinity map1
Location: North of Little Chebeague Island and west of Great Chebeague Island, Casco Bay,
Chebeague Island, Cumberland County, Maine
Purpose: Experimental lease for the suspended culture of sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), horsetail
kelp (Laminaria digitata), and winged kelp (Alaria esculenta)
Site Review by: Jon Lewis and Flora Drury
Report Preparation by: Flora Drury, Marcy Nelson, and Jon Lewis September 3, 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 (orthoCoastalCascoBay2013).
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 2
On July 9, 2019, Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) staff Jon Lewis and Flora
Drury visited the proposed experimental aquaculture lease. MDMR staff arrived on site at 12:05
pm; the tide was flooding.
The applicant is requesting 3.90 acres north of Little Chebeague Island and west of Great Chebeague
Island in Casco Bay, in the Town of Chebeague Island, for the suspended culture of marine algae.
Culture is proposed to occur on up to fifteen, one-thousand-foot horizontal longlines suspended
approximately seven feet below the surface of the water. At a minimum, the applicant proposes a ten-
foot gap between the deployed longlines. Longlines, depth control buoys, and weights would be
removed from the site July through September, annually. Thirty moorings, and associated mooring
lines and buoys, would remain on the site throughout the year.2
General Characteristics
The proposed lease occupies subtidal waters north of Little Chebeague Island and west of Great
Chebeague Island in Casco Bay (Figure 1). A tidally-exposed sandbar, located to the southeast of the
proposed lease, connects Great and Little Chebeague Islands (Image 1). The shorelines of the two islands
are comprised of rock and sand. The Great Chebeague Island uplands host residential (and possibly
commercial) buildings and a mixed forest; Little Chebeague Island is undeveloped (Images 1-5).
Image 1: Facing southeast from the approximate southern boundary of the
proposed lease site (July 9, 2019).
2 App, page 17
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 3
Image 2: Facing southwest from the approximate southern boundary of
the proposed lease site (July 9, 2019).
Image 3: Facing west from the approximate southern boundary of the
proposed lease site (July 9, 2019).
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 4
Image 4: Facing north from the approximate southern boundary of the
proposed lease site (July 9, 2019).
Image 5: Facing east from the approximate southern boundary of the
proposed lease site (July 9, 2019).
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 5
Depth
At the time of MDMR’s site assessment, depths at the corners of the proposed lease site ranged from
29.5 feet to 30.3 feet, as measured with a transom-mounted depth sounder. MDMR staff observed the
depths of the proposed lease site at approximately 12:05 pm. Low tide, with a height of -0.39 feet, was
predicted to occur at 11:21 am. Correcting for tidal variation derives water depths approximately 0.5
feet lower at the nearest low water and therefore ~0.1 feet lower (29.4-30.2 feet) at mean low water (0.0
feet).
Table 1: Tide predictions at Great Chebeague Island, Casco Bay, Maine (43.7217° N, 70.1417° W)3
Date Time Height (ft.)
7/9/19 5:04 AM 10.09 H
7/9/19 11:21 AM -0.39 L
7/9/19 5:44 PM 10.11 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.
WGS84 Coordinates – 3.90 acres (Figure 2)
Corner Latitude Longitude
SW 43.726004° N 70.145681° W then 1060.32 feet at 18.83o True to
NW 43.728757° N 70.144386° W then 160.61 feet at 102.58o True to
NE 43.728661° N 70.143793° W then 1069.71 feet at 198.86o True to
SE 43.725884° N 70.145101° W then 159.44 feet at 285.92o True to SW.
3 http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi
Table 2: Approximate Distances to Shore (Figures 1 & 2):
NW Corner to Lower Basket Ledge (MLW) ~3,150 feet to the west
NE Corner to Nearest Point, Great Chebeague Island (MLW) ~1,030 feet to the east
SE Corner to Nearest Point, Great Chebeague Island (MLW) ~1,430 feet to the northeast
SE Corner to Nearest Point, Little Chebeague Island Uplands ~3,800 feet to the south
SW Corner to Red Nun “14” (NOAA Chart) ~2,400 feet to the southwest
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 6
Figure 2: Proposed lease area.
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 to the north of Little Chebeague Island and to the west of Great
Chebeague Island, in Casco Bay (Figure 1). During the MDMR site assessment on July 9, 2019,
houses and docks were observed along the western shoreline of Great Chebeague Island. Boats
were observed moored or at anchor to the southeast of the proposed lease, near the sandbar that
connects Great and Little Chebeague Islands at lower tidal stages. No moorings were observed
within the immediate vicinity of the proposed lease site, although, according to the Chebeague
Island Harbormaster, there are permitted moorings within the proposed lease boundary.4 The
proposed lease is located over 1,000 feet from all nearby shorelines, and therefore it appears that
riparian access would not be prevented if the proposed lease were granted. However, it is likely
that some landowners may have to alter their traditional course when navigating to and from the
Great Chebeague Island shoreline. According to the Chebeague Island Harbormaster the
proposed lease would impede the ability of riparian owners to “safely navigate to their mooring
and docks”.
4 Harbormaster Questionnaire (May 26, 2019)
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 7
(2) Navigation
The proposed lease is located in navigable waters to the west of Great Chebeague Island in
Casco Bay. This area experiences heavy vessel traffic, especially during the summer months. On
July 9, 2019, MDMR staff observed both commercial and recreational vessels operating in the
general area. Boats were also observed moored or anchored near the sandbar that connects Great
and Little Chebeague Islands at lower tidal stages. During the summer months, when vessel
traffic in the area is likely the heaviest, longlines would be removed from the proposed lease and
vessels would be able to navigate through the proposal. However, it is possible that vessels
would continue to avoid the area due to the thirty mooring balls that would remain onsite
throughout the year.
Since the proposed lease is located over 1,000 feet from all adjacent shorelines, it is unlikely that
vessels navigating in the area would be prevented from traveling between the proposed lease and
the Great Chebeague Island shoreline, if the proposed lease were granted.
A marked navigation channel between the Chebeague Islands and Lower Basket Ledge is located
to the west of the proposal (Figure 1). The proposal is positioned approximately 475 feet to the
east of a straight line drawn between the two red nuns (“14”and “16”) marking the eastern side
of the navigation channel (Figure 1).
In addition to the area being heavily transitted, the Chebeague Island Harbormaster stated that the
proposed lease would “affect anchorage due to the fact that it is taking up bottom”.5 At this time,
MDMR does not know the extent to which the proposed lease area is used as an anchorage.
(3) Fishing and Water-Related Uses
At the time of MDMR’s site assessment on July 9, 2019, no commercial or recreational fishing
activities were observed within the proposed lease boundaries. Minimal lobstering activity was
observed nearby the proposal, although heavy lobster fishing was visible to the west. According
to the Chebeague Island Harbormaster, the area of the proposed lease is heavily fished by both
commercial and recrreational users.6
The application proposes that longlines and depth control buoys/weights would be removed from
the site from mid-June to mid-October. Thirty moorings and associated mooring balls would
remain on the site year round.7 Due to the timing of the proposed lease activities, is unlikely that
the proposed lease would interfere with recreational hook and line activity. However, the extent to
which lobstermen might avoid the proposed lease area in the summer months due to the proposed
year-round moorings is unknown.
5 Harbormaster Questionnaire (May 26, 2019) 6 Harbormaster Questionnaire (May 26, 2019) 7 App, page 10
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 8
(4) Other Aquaculture Uses
Five leases and six Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) licenses are located within one mile of
the proposed lease (Figure 3). The closest active aquaculture activity to the proposal is standard
lease CAS CHEB2, which is permitted for the suspended culture of marine algae. CAS CHEB2 is
located approximately 1,210 feet to the south.
At the time of this report’s publication, one pending lease application, submitted to MDMR by
Chebeague Island Oyster Company, LLC, was located within one mile of the proposed lease
(Figure 3).
Figure 3: Aquaculture activity near the proposed lease area.
(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 830 feet from mapped Tidal Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat.
This habitat type, which is defined under Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) as
Significant Wildlife Habitat, is located along the western shoreline of Great and Little Chebeague
Islands.
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 9
On May 3, 2019 Rebecca Settele (Wildlife Biologist, MDIF&W) responded, by email, to a “Request
for Agency Review and Comment” stating “Minimal impacts to wildlife are anticipated for this
project”.
Figure 4: Tidal Wading Bird and Waterfowl Habitat8 and Endangered, Threatened,
or Species of Special Concern Habitat9, Seabird Nesting Islands10 near the proposed
lease site.
Eelgrass
Historical eelgrass (Zostera marina) data collected by The Maine Department of Environmental
Protection in partnership with the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership indicate that, in 2018, the closest
observed eelgrass bed to the proposed lease was located more than 845 feet to the east (Figure 5).
The proposed lease operations are unlikely to shade or disrupt documented eelgrass.
8 Data obtained from MDIWF maintained SDE Feature Class “GISVIEW.MEIFW.Twwh” 9 Data obtained from MDIWF maintained SDE Feature Class “GISVIEW.MEIFW.ETSC” 10 Data obtained from MDIWF maintained SDE Feature Class “GISVIEW.MEIFW.sni”
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 10
Figure 5: Historical eelgrass (Z. marina) in vicinity of proposed lease.11
(6) Source of Organisms to be Cultured
The applicant lists Ocean Approved in South Portland, 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).12 The Sunset Road Right-of-Way, owned
by the Town of Chebeague, is located approximately 1,240 feet to the east of the proposal at mean
low water. According to the Chebeague Island Harbormaster, “the town is working on a proposed
municipal docking facility” nearby the proposed lease which would potentially “serve as a primary
ferry berth for entire island”.13 More information on the location and scope of the proposed
municipal docking facility is required in order to determine any potential impact the proposed lease
may have on this project.
11 Data obtained from DEP maintained Feature Class available here: https://geolibrary-
maine.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/mainedep-eelgrass-2018-casco-bay-only 12 Data obtained from SDE Feature Class sourced from The Maine Office of GIS “GISVIEW.MECONSLANDS.Conserved_Lands” 13 Harbormaster Questionnaire (May 26, 2019)
SEA STUFF, LLC (CASCO BAY) September 3, 2019 Page 11
Additionally, Little Chebeague Island, which is owned by The Maine Department of Agriculture,
Conservation, and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, is located over 3,000 feet to the south of
the proposed lease (figure 6). Little Chebeague Island is accessible by foot from Great
Chebeague Island via a sandbar exposed at low tide. Access to the island from the water requires
anchoring in the shallows offshore or landing vessels directly on one of the beaches.
Recreational boaters, kayakers, and beachgoers regularly use the island.
Figure 6: Publicly-owned land near the proposed lease site.