From: Stearns, Alan
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 4:34 PM
To: Horn-Olsen, Samantha
Cc: Spencer-Famous, Marcia
Subject: Expedited zone rulemaking & cumulative impact

Attachments: document2010-03-08-154603.pdf; 20100325150423950.pdf


Good discussion today.   Thank you.

We discussed that BPL is not staffed adequately to participate in the pending rulemaking process re "Transcanada III", but that cumulative impact is an important issue for LURC staff to scope and speak to with authority in that proceeding.

Today you provided me with the attached request of ACOE regarding cumulative impact analysis on "Transcanada II" (Kibby Expansion).  The attached documents are worthy of entry into the "Transcanada III" rulemaking record, along with my agency comments on Transcanada II working to frame similar issues.

As we discussed, I find it hard to discuss cumulative impact in the context of Transcanada III if there is an open regulatory analysis (federal) and pending need for regulatory guidance (state) of cumulative impact in Transcanada II.   If the open question is whether the to-be-rezoned parcel will benefit from necessary regulatory balancing, isn't it necessary to resolve project II before one can answer the open question regarding project III?

Let me know if I can elaborate further, otherwise thank you for your hard work.

****************
Alan Stearns, Deputy Director
Bureau of Parks & Lands
Maine Department of Conservation
22 State House Station
18 Elkins Lane (Harlow Bldg)
Augusta, ME  04333-0022
(207)287-4911 (direct)
(207)287-4960 (assistant)
alan.stearns@maine.gov
www.parksandlands.com