Keep National Marine Fisheries in
Gloucester
Letter to the Editor
Gloucester Daily Times, March 4, 2006 page A8
The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) who oversee the
operation of the National Marine Fisheries at the
Blackburn Industrial Park, Parker St. and Emerson Ave is
seeking comments on a facility proposal as outlined
under legal notice in the Gloucester Times,
Tuesday, February 21st.
N.O.A.A. has proposed three
considerations to house the activities of that
organization.
- To house the activities of
N.O.A.A. in the four facilities in Gloucester.
- To move the whole program to
Beverly to a single facility of over 79,000 square
feet.
- To lease a newly constructed
building that would meet the space requirement to
house all the program in a single space in
Gloucester which N.O.A.A. states would be adequate.
The port of Gloucester is a major
fishing port on the Eastern seaboard. Fisherman in
Gloucester visit NMFS facilities regularly for many
reasons – renewal of permits (including any questions or
disputes arising therefrom) providing and discussing
reporting requirements; interpretation of new
regulations as they are implemented; matters of legal
consequence; participation in research efforts;
financial assistance, etc. All of these contacts would
be more difficult if the location were to be moved out
of town. Fishermen operate on a schedule. Also, there
is the impact on the City of Gloucester to consider.
Gloucester is historically a city with greater than
average unemployment rate statewide, and loss of the NMFS facility would greatly impact the economy. NMFS is
one of the City’s largest employers. Many employees
live here and pay taxes here. The property itself will
be privately owned and will pay significant property
taxes. The amount of money spent in Gloucester by all
NMFS employees for goods and services is very
significant. The loss of this local business cannot be
underestimated. The Board of Directors of Action, Inc.,
voted to support that the National Marine Fisheries
remain in Gloucester.
Please write to NMFS, Nero
Environmental Assessment c/o Jon Randall URS Group Inc.,
200 Orchard Ridge Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 prior to
March 7th to indicate your support in keeping
N.O.A.A. here in Gloucester, MA, at a newly leased space
to house the entire Northeast region office.
William C. Rochford
Executive Director
Action, Inc.
