MAINE PUBLIC • August 4, 2021
The battle over a land-based fish factory proposed for Belfast took a new turn this week. The city council Tuesday night signaled it's intent to use eminent domain to help the developers find a path to the sea for the project's treated fish waste. At a Tuesday night meeting councilors voted unanimously to pursue the takeover of properties near an intertidal area whose true ownership is being disputed in court. Nordic Aquafarms, which wants to build a $500 million fish farm in the city, recently bought 2.75 acres next to the intertidal parcel and turned it over to the city. Councilors say by that by taking over other adjoining properties they can end the legal dispute over who has authority to allow Nordic to run an effluent pipe across the intertidal zone and into Belfast Bay.