The city of South Portland has formally charged the Portland International Jetport with unlawfully removing hundreds of trees and damaging protected wetlands along Interstate 295, actions taken to clear a runway approach as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The jetport, owned by the city of Portland, exceeded the approved conditions of a tree-removal plan sanctioned by South Portland planning authorities in 2019. Violation notices issued by the Code Enforcement Director highlight these breaches. Possible consequences for the jetport include fines and requirements to replace the trees and restore the wetlands, as stated by the South Portland Planning Director.
If the jetport contests these violations, legal proceedings may ensue between the neighboring cities. The tree removal occurred in January behind Calvary Cemetery on Broadway and adjacent to a residential area at the end of Dawson Street, with the land owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. Despite a stop-work order issued on January 30, the jetport’s contractor continued the tree removal, disregarding restrictions on selective tree cutting. Furthermore, the contractor’s actions breached wetland protection laws overseen by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The jetport also failed to comply with several key conditions of the 2019 plan, including implementing erosion controls, maintaining project boundaries, conducting selective cutting without stump removal, and organizing a pre-construction meeting with city officials and regulatory agencies. Discussions regarding potential monetary and non-monetary mitigations have commenced, including replanting trees, paying fines, and restoring wetlands. The jetport must also apply for site plan review for work conducted outside the 2019 plan’s scope.
Jetport officials have received the violation notices and are reviewing them thoroughly. While the forestry contractor’s identity remains undisclosed, the city is not considering action against them. The Roman Catholic Diocese, although uninvolved, is encouraging a swift resolution. South Portland officials continue to assess the total number of trees removed, aided by images from a proposed solar farm plan on the diocesan property. The jetport may need to replant trees to restore a visual and sound barrier that was disrupted.
Despite ongoing issues with a solar proposal by New Leaf Energy, resident Cassie Moon, who initially reported the tree clearing, feels reassured by the violation notices issued by the city. Although committed to challenging the solar project, Moon perceives the enforcement actions as a significant positive development.
The Impact on Daily Life
This environmental issue underscores the delicate balance between infrastructure development and environmental preservation. The removal of trees and damage to wetlands not only disrupts local biodiversity but also has immediate effects on the community’s quality of life. Residents near the affected area have lost a natural sound and visual barrier, which could increase noise pollution and reduce privacy, affecting their overall living environment.
The resolution of this matter may set important precedents for how infrastructure projects are balanced with environmental concerns in South Portland and similar communities. If the jetport is held accountable and compelled to undertake remedial actions, it could lead to stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and more cautious planning for future projects. This situation highlights the importance of community vigilance and the role of local authorities in safeguarding both public safety and ecological integrity.