Growing up on Penobscot Bay, one of my first sights each morning would be Sears Island, floating motionless in the cold blue waters. As time passed and I moved away, I still maintained my attachment to that view. Although it took me many years to find the freedom to do so, I eventually found a summer cottage to rent along the bay, a few hundred yards from my childhood house. In an equally inspiring setting, it not only brought me home, but also refreshed my perspective on the natural beauty of the area. From its wooden porch, the island view is even more impressive - so much so, that it often feels as if it is my own front lawn.

Sears Island is a rare gem in a world increasingly reliant on development, often to the detriment of the environment.  It was formed 12,000 years ago when the last glacier retreated. In its early years, it was often occupied by the Penobscot Indians living in the region. The American Revolution would bring squatters to the Island - in one incident, an American Ship was sunk in the Island's harbor.  In the late 1700s, several farming families were living on the Island.  It was purchased and given its current name in 1813 by David Sears, who built and lived on his summer estate there, until it was destroyed by fire in 1893.  During this time, a few families continued to farm and there are some who believe that the Island served as a base for alcohol smuggling during prohibition.   In 1905, the Island was purchased by the Bangor & Aroostook Railway, with the intent of it being a tourist destination.  However, the invention of the automobile caused that plan to fail.  In the 1930's, the last farm abandoned the Island and it began to adjust back to its natural state.

It is currently the largest uninhabited body of land on the East Coast of the United States, but it has had to fend off numerous attempts at development to maintain that title. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, proposals were made to develop an oil refinery on the Island.  When that was rejected by the State, a Nuclear Power Plant was proposed by Central Maine power.  This was fought aggressively and when the project was abandoned, additional proposals were produced for a coal fired power plant and an aluminum smelter. All were met with passionate objection and debate, and ultimately, were also abandoned.

In 1982, things began to get even more interesting.  Plans were developed to build a deep water cargo and container port on the Island.  Initial studies seemed to indicate that it would move ahead.  A causeway was constructed to gain access to the Island (at the time, the only means of access was to wait for low tide and cross on the sand bar, or to arrive by paddle boat.)  Many recognized the destruction that would take place and appealed to the Sierra Club.  Numerous injunctions were filed, the project would be halted a number of times, and eventually it was stopped in 1996 amid a litany of allegations including a criminal investigation into one of the environmental study's results, which indicated that the Island had no wetlands - a fact that was later proved to be an enormous distortion and the pivotal reason for the final rejection of the project.

Much had changed during the 25 years that Sears Island had been targeted for development.  Although still a low income area, Searsport and its surrounding towns had begun to have a small, but vocal, influx of new residents.  While those who lived there in the 70s and 80s were somewhat split on the benefits of development and preservation, many of the newer arrivals had come specifically for the natural character of the region and the quaint charm of its small bay.   Thus, in 2003, when a proposal by the State of Maine to build a liquid natural gas terminal was presented, the outcry was loud and clear.  Many had grown tired of being told what would happen to their waters, their land and the little town where they lived.  The small sailboats seen on any summer afternoon, and the early morning lobster fisherman were not going away quietly. This project quickly disappeared, and the developers retreated once again.

The most recent developments are perhaps the most significant, and the most specific, with respect to the future of Sears Island, both from a conservational, and from a developmental, standpoint.  In January, Maine Governor John Baldacci signed an Executive Order, directing a conservation easement between Maine and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, for 601 acres of the Island, while retaining 300 acres for development and construction of a cargo and container port.

Needless to say, this plan is unfavorable to many, as well as potentially devastating to the Bay's aquaculture and its surrounding environment.  Enter Ron Huber, an insightful and passionate environmental activist from Rockland, Maine.  I met with Mr. Huber to discuss the recent lawsuit he filed against the Maine Department of Transportation.  The basis of the suit charges violations of state law and the Maine constitution, among other others.  It is an interesting case to read.

The Department of Transportation, oddly, missed its filing date on all motions, leaving the current status up to the Judge's opinion as to whether a default judgment is in order.  It will surely be interesting to observe.  I found Mr. Huber to be a very intelligent and driven man, committed to the environment and the state he loves.

For now, Sears Island sits in silence, although a week will not go by without some chatter and discussion about what may happen next. Given that the State is now consistently been pro-development, it may not lie idle forever. At least for the moment, it offers up its wild beauty to many locals and visitors.