BRUNSWICK
Those who want to formally sound off at an upcoming hearing on a state environmental application on a proposed passenger rail facility in Brunswick can file a written notice with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
The deadline for filing as what’s known as intervener status is Dec. 24, according to a notice posted by the DEP.
Those who can be granted intervener status include those that are “substantially and directly affected by the licensing proceeding,” according to a draft of the DEP’s notice.
DEP had been expected to make a ruling on Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority’s storm water permit application by Dec. 17. However, since it was determined in November that a hearing ought to be held, that deadline is no longer valid, according to Karl Wilkins, the DEP’s acting communications director.
It’s unclear when DEP will rule on the permit.
The permit will be needed before construction of the $12 million, 60,000-squarefoot train shed, to be built on track between Church Road and Stanwood Street near the Bouchard Drive neighborhood, can begin.
Wilkins said he would not speculate as to when the date for the hearing may be set, although he said DEP’s hearing officer has been meeting with staff to discuss a time frame.
“It’s just very early in the process,” he said.
Those granted intervener status will pre-file their testimony, and “will have the right to offer testimony and evidence and cross-examine the witnesses of other parties,” according to the DEP.
Members of the public who wish to testify at the hearing and through written comments can do so without being an intervener. DEP will accept written testimony from now until the date of the hearing.
Robert Morrison, of the Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition, had successfully petitioned the DEP to hold the hearing in November. Morrison said at that time that his group would have experts to testify at the hearing, and that NNEPRA’s application leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
On Tuesday, NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn said that the rail authority had no strategy heading into the hearing, other than its plans to “explain our application and answer any questions.”
jswinconeck@timesrecord.com
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