Project scaled down, but opposition still shared at hearing
US Wind officials presented revised plans for a smaller pier and reduced bulkhead work at a proposed operations and maintenance facility at the West Ocean City harbor, but opponents say they still have concerns about the project’s impacts on navigation, jobs, and the surrounding community.
In a recent public hearing held at Wor-Wic Community College, the Maryland Department of the Environment collected testimony on a tidal wetlands license application the agency received from US Wind, the developer of the offshore wind project off the coast of Ocean City. While the applicant had initially submitted plans to construct a 625-foot-long by 32-foot-wide concrete pier and replace 435 feet of bulkhead at 12929 and 12933 Harbor Road, US Wind Director of Permitting Todd Sumner told attendees the company was proposing a reduction in work.
“Specifically for the pier reduction, US Wind is proposing to reduce the length of the new pier from the original 625 feet to 174 feet, a reduction of 451 feet. US Wind is also proposing to reduce the bulkhead renovation work from the original 435 feet to 381 feet, which is a reduction of 54 feet,” he said. “The reduced pier and renovated bulkhead structures would not encroach into the existing federal channel or turning basin.”
No new pier, once they get their foot in the door …. Well you know the rest