Ocean City, Maryland – In a significant legal move, the town of Ocean City, together with several local entities, has initiated a lawsuit against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) concerning a proposed offshore wind project by US Wind. This collaborative action includes participants such as the Town Council of Fenwick Island, Worcester County Commissioners, and various associations representing industries from hotels and real estate to fishing.
The lawsuit, announced via a press release from the town’s website, underscores the community’s concerns over the potential environmental and economic impacts of erecting 1143 wind turbines positioned 10.7 miles off the coast. These turbines, standing at an imposing height of 938 feet, have raised alarms about their effects on local scenery, tourism, and marine and wildlife ecosystems.
Mayor Rick Meehan emphasized the town’s duty to safeguard its natural resources and economic well-being. He expressed frustration over the lack of consideration shown to their concerns by state and federal authorities over the past seven years, leading to this judicial recourse. “It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but the Town was left with no choice,” Meehan stated.
Support for the legal challenge is widespread among local businesses and community groups, fearing the visual and environmental impacts could deter tourism and disrupt the natural habitat, critical to the region’s fishing industry. Notable supporters joining the lawsuit include the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, Delmarva Community Managers Association, Ocean City Development Corporation, Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Association of Realtors, and representatives from both commercial and recreational fisheries.
The decision to litigate was sealed after efforts to interact constructively with US Wind and government officials fell short of addressing the community’s concerns. The stakeholders allege that the BOEM’s favorable stance towards the project did not adequately reflect the ecological and economic apprehensions articulated during the consultation phase.
Marzulla Law, LLC is set to represent Ocean City and its allies, advocating for a re-evaluation of the project’s approval by scrutinizing the decision-making process employed by BOEM. This lawsuit signals a growing readiness among communities to legally contest large-scale environmental projects that they perceive as threats to their local environments and economies.
As the legal proceedings unfold, continuous updates will be crucial for the Ocean City community and other stakeholders watching closely from other coastal regions, where offshore wind projects are proposed or underway.
This approach highlights a broader question regarding the balance between advancing renewable energy initiatives and preserving local environmental and economic interests, a debate that is increasingly playing out in courts and public forums across the nation.
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