Nordic Aquafarms' land-based salmon farming project got crucial approval by the state's Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) this month for its 33,000-metric-ton land-based salmon
farm in Belfast, Maine.
In November the board approved four necessary environmental permits for the massive project, an effort that has taken over a year and a half.
The milestone earned the project the support of Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a strong sign for both Nordic and future land-based aquaculture projects in the state.
"Land-based aquaculture will create good-paying jobs for Maine people and will further diversify and strengthen our economy over the long-term," said Mills.
"As we continue our economic recovery efforts, I am excited to see this ground-breaking, thoroughly-vetted project move forward. I applaud the Bureau of Environmental Protection for its rigorous work in administering our state's strict environmental standards and Nordic Aquafarms for meeting those standards. Protecting our environment and growing our economy are goals that can and must go hand-in-hand."
Marianne Naess, executive vice president of commercial for Nordic, told IntraFish there are remaining City of Belfast and Army Corps of Engineers permits that need to be approved before construction can begin.
While Maine's permitting agencies have ruled Nordic has secured right, title and interest to inter-tidal land to pipe water from its farm site into the Penobscot Bay, the company is closely watching a lawsuit that argues otherwise.
Naess said those legal issues should also be resolved shortly.
