Norwegian group Nordic Aquafarms has moved to quash claims by campaign group Upstream Watch thats its 33,000-metric ton land-based salmon farm in Belfast, Maine, faces delays after its latest environmental hearings.
The campaign group said the Maine Board of Environmental Protection last week raised questions on every scheduled subject of the Nordic Aquafarms' (NAF) permit application to build the $500 million (€462.6 million) land-based salmon plant.
It also said the board indicated that the review period will be lengthy and that the Department of Environmental Protection has already ordered additional air emission studies be done.
But Nordic Aquafarms executives say they wonder whether they attended the same meeting.
"The permit process is not delayed as a result of the hearings. NAF's air emission is below the thresholds for a minor air emission permit. DEP will verify the numbers in its own study. They have not ordered us to perform more studies," Nordic Aquafarms Executive Vice President Commercial Marianne Naess told IntraFish.
In response to a press release put out by the campaign group, Nordic Aquafarms rejected a slew of allegations, including doubts about the prospective land-based producer's ability to fund the project.
"NAF will have all necessary financing in place and it will be fully compliant with the regulations and demands in the permit," Naess said.
The company also moved to dispel questions over the use of local water sources, wastewater, and potential mercury contamination, underlining that it has complied with all the requirements and performed the necessary studies to apply for the permits.
Since being unveiled in January 2018, the project has faced vociferous protests from some groups of residents and environmental campaigners but the company appears undaunted.
"I sincerely hope that the press soon lose interest in the opponents and their attempts to derail the project," Naess said.
"The majority of the residents of Belfast welcome this project, and it has strong support from the authorities in Maine as well."
