BRUNSWICK

In front of a crowded gallery Wednesday, shellfish diggers and recreational users of water access at Simpson’s Point debated whether either group should be awarded priority use of the facility.

The town’s Marine Resources Committee, which scheduled the meeting to receive public input, did not make a decision after the hearing.

The question of access was revisited because an environmental study conducted by Brunswick firm MER Assessment Corp. found that a delicate marine species of eel grass, whose decline initially had been linked to “submerged boat propellors,” has not rebounded after five years of closure to motorized boats.

Clammers wondered why, if the grass is not coming back, they continue to be banned from the ramp.

But recreational use of the ramp, adjacent beach and rocks has exploded since the 2008 power boat ban. Swimmers, sunbathers, canoeists and kayakers say the area lacks adequate parking and is too small to safely afford both uses.

Liz Pierson, who lives on Harpswell Road, said she never took her children to Simpson’s Point because it was unsafe when the diggers were there.

“There were people backing trailers up, there was oil and gas in the water, and having swimmers in the water with motor boats just was not a compatible mix,” she said. “But it’s really not about clammers, it’s about motor boats. You can’t open the landing to clammers and keep out motor boats.”

Others worried that the disagreement stems more from “class warfare” than marine ecology.

“It’s almost about class warfare,” said digger Tim Johnson. “I also agree that gas and oil and toddlers don’t mix, but what this really points out is that Brunswick doesn’t have adequate access to water.”

Two separate issues connect through the Simpson’s Point landing. One is use of the launching point and who, if anyone, should get priority. Before its closure in 2008, clammers and fishermen historically used the ramp because of its proximity to the shallows and flats between White’s Island and upper Middle Bay Cove.

Clammers feel like they are being squeezed out by people who pay more property taxes on their high-end waterfront homes.

Diggers have to launch their boats at the Mere Point public ramp, which adds eight road miles and between four and eight miles by water, just to get to the same fishing and clamming spots.

“We should build some access for the people who want to go swimming, but don’t take it away from the clammers,” Johnson added.

A second issue is compatibility between users. Many who spoke during Wednesday’s meeting lamented the “us versus them” quality of the argument, and wondered if either a seasonal schedule, or one based on tidal access, could be devised to benefit both sides.

jtleonard@timesrecord.com