The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week approved an application from the University of New England (UNE) for the construction of a controversial pier proposal on the Saco River in Biddeford.

Although UNE is still required to clear several more permitting hurdles before construction can begin, the Army Corps approval represents a significant boost for the pier project.

Earlier this year, the Saco River Corridor Commission also gave its approval for the project, which includes a permanent pier consisting of a 28-foot long by 24-foot-wide landing; a 90-foot long by 14-foot-wide approach pier; and an 80-foot long by 24-foot-long pier and a floating dock system.

The proposed pier is intended to serve and dock UNE’s 60-foot marine research vessel.

UNE Spokesperson Sarah Delage said the university is “pleased to be moving forward” through the permitting process.

Construction of the pier relies upon a $3.5 million federal grant the university received last year.

When asked about the uncertainty of federal funding created by the Trump Administration, Delage said UNE is monitoring President Trump’s executive orders, but the project is expected to stay on track.

“Like all colleges and universities, as well as other research organizations, UNE is monitoring executive orders and other federal actions closely for potential impacts on the university,” Delage said. “Having said that, we have no reason to believe the funding for the project is at risk.”

But not everyone is celebrating the Army Corps’ decision to approve the project, including John Schafer, a Hills Beach resident and former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission.

“I do not know why, but in this case
several ‘powers that be’ seem absolutely
determined to exclude local knowledge
from the permitting process.
That is just wrong.”

— Dan Chadbourne, Saco’s former harbormaster

During a recent telephone interview, Schafer said he is “extremely disappointed” by the Army Corps’ decision.

Schafer — who has been doggedly seeking information about the pier and its review process for more than a year — said the Army Corps made its decision without public comment and without input of “local knowledge,” most notably from the city’s harbormaster, Paul Lariviere.

Schafer also shared several letters from people who have existing moorings that would be impacted by the pier proposal.

As of press time, the Army Corps has not responded to our request for public comment.

However, in an email response to Schafer’s questions about the lack of public comment during the Army Corps’ review, Project Manager Jana Jacobson of the Army Corps wrote that “the project was reviewed for verification under the Maine General Permit, which are issued for use on a five-year cycle. Therefore, there was no public comment period.”

Dan Chadbourne, Saco’s former harbormaster, sent a pointed letter to Jacobson, disputing UNE’s claims that the pier would only impact one existing mooring.

Chadbourne said seven moorings will be impacted if UNE is allowed to build its pier.

“There is absolutely no substitute for local knowledge when evaluating such a sizeable intrusion into a popular waterway like the Saco River,” Chadbourne wrote. “I do not know why, but in this case several ‘powers that be’ seem absolutely determined to exclude local knowledge from the permitting process. That is just wrong.”

Delage said once all regulatory approvals are received — including from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Biddeford Planning Board – the university must then obtain a building permit from the Biddeford Code Enforcement Office.

Delage said UNE will continue to follow the review process, but declined to speculate about how long that process will take.

Randy Seaver is the editor of the Biddeford Gazette. He can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com

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