Facing opposition, proposal for Rockland marina is reworked
A boatyard and marina services provider has changed its proposal for a marina in Rockland after a group challenged the effort.
The proposal is from Stuart Smith, owner of Water Street property, and Bill Morong Sr. and Bill Morong Jr. of Yachting Solutions LLC, which leases space from Smith.
In July 2017, the federal government awarded Yachting Solutions a $1.8 million matching grant to expand its existing facility. The project was to include upgraded power, in-slip fueling and the conversion of an existing gazebo into a boater's lounge, the Pen Bay Pilot reported. The 2017 Federal Boating Infrastructure Grants are administered by the National Park Service and are paid for by taxes and fees on motorboat fuel and related equipment.
In February 2018, Yachting Solutions presented its plans to Rockland. The plan drew criticism from citizens, who originally protested with the city. But the harbor waters are actually regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A Rockland citizens group, Sensible Harbor Infrastructure Plan, or SHIP, petitioned city, state and federal agencies to block the plan.
The debate centered around the size of a wave “attenuator,” a fence-like structure that would reduce wake and other waves in the marina. Opponents say the the original design jutted too far into the channel.
Fast forward to a Dec. 12 meeting, the Morongs presented the revised proposal, which included modifying the structure.
In response to the citizens’ group, which characterized the original proposal as an effort to gentrify the waterfront, Morong Jr. said, “Do we put a moratorium on growth in Rockland because we’re scared of gentrification?”
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