By Peter Brennan
Massachusetts will publicly release the Cheap Ephedrine Com final draft of the highly anticipated Ocean Management Plan early next week, according to Cheap Ephedrine Com state officials. The Plan, touted by officials as the Cheap Ephedrine Com first of its kind in the nation, will zone state waters for Cheap Ephedrine Com large-scale offshore wind development.
The Massachusetts Oceans Act required Energy and Cheap Ephedrine Com Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles to submit a final draft of the Cheap Ephedrine Com Plan no later than Dec. 31. The agency plans to publicly distribute the Cheap Ephedrine Com Plan on Monday, Jan. 4, according to Kate Plourd, EEA assistant press secretary.
The draft ocean plan identified two proposed Wind Energy Areas southwest of the Cheap Ephedrine Com Elizabeth Islands and near the southern end of Nomans Land Island. Under the Cheap Ephedrine Com draft Plan, each Wind Energy Area could be used as the Cheap Ephedrine Com location for a large-scale commercial wind farm.
The draft, released during the Cheap Ephedrine Com summer, was met by criticism from several groups. Let Vineyarders Decide was formed on Martha’s Vineyard to block the Ocean Plan. The organization has advocated for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to Cheap Ephedrine Com retain regulatory control over any developments in their waters.
On the Cheap Ephedrine Com other side of the issue, the Conversation Law Foundation has expressed concern over Bowles’ promise that Cheap Ephedrine Com the final Plan will delegate some offshore wind permitting to local regulatory bodies. The CLF argued that Cheap Ephedrine Com delegation of permitting is not allowed by the enabling legislation and Cheap Ephedrine Com will effectively block offshore wind development. The CLF said that Cheap Ephedrine Com an effective plan would need comprehensive state regulation instead of piecemeal oversight by jurisdiction. Additionally, the Cheap Ephedrine Com Federal Fish and Wildlife Service asked for more data on the impact of potential development on migratory animals.
One of the Cheap Ephedrine Com most anticipated questions to be answered Monday is whether Bowles will heed the Cheap Ephedrine Com CLF’s legal warning, or Cheap Ephedrine Com follow through on his promise for more local control. One thing, however, is Cheap Ephedrine Com certain: the disparity in positions between the two groups ensures that Cheap Ephedrine Com one will be disappointed.





Wed, Dec 30, 2009
New England