WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. -- On Wednesday, we reported about a proposed $20 million investment from US Wind to support the local fishing community. Another development from that news is the offshore wind company's plans for two properties in the West Ocean City Harbor.
For months, critics have argued that US Wind's plans to buy the two fish houses in West Ocean City Harbor would decimate the commercial fishing industry.
Wednesday's announcement, however, paints the proposed project in a different light.
"Our proposal is to purchase one of the two properties that we had under contract, under option contract in the past," said Ben Cooper, Director of Marine Affairs at US Wind.
Meaning, one of the two fish houses would stay open.
However, Delegate Wayne Hartman(R) does not view that news as promising. He told WBOC it's just a small part of a larger deal he doesn't agree with.
"What I've read from it, it's between Maryland and Delaware, $20 million, not a huge amount of money when you're talking about the number of watermen that make a livelihood," said Hartman.
It is still possible that US Wind buys both properties. Cooper said the company's ultimate decision will shape the deal between it and Maryland's Department of Natural Resources.
"We do have those properties under contract, and if indeed we did choose to purchase both properties, it would be a higher cost," said Cooper. "Then if we don't purchase any of those properties, it would still be a contribution to the community, but it wouldn't be at the $20 million level."
The proposed agreement does not change the fact that several local officials and lawmakers are pushing for the Trump Administration to step in.
"I want to make clear that whether there's an MOU or not, or regardless of what's in the MOU, that we have an official request in front of the federal government to halt the offshore wind energy project off Maryland's coast," said Senator Mary Beth Carozza(R).
Congressman Andy Harris(R) also sent WBOC a statement on Thursday, addressing the proposed agreement.
"Despite the US Wind proposal, offshore wind is taking away the livelihoods of watermen in my district and no amount of money could appease that. I will continue working with President Trump to end offshore wind industrialization off the coast of Maryland's Eastern Shore," said Harris.
As did Ocean City's mayor, Rick Meehan.
"We are going to wait until after we have the opportunity to review the entire Memoranda of Understanding and have had a discussion with both Worcester County and the Commercial Fishermen before commenting on this issue," said Meehan.
Worcester County Commission Vice President Eric Fiori tells WBOC the county is still considering using eminent domain to take over both properties.
WBOC also reached out to Southern Connection Seafood and Martin Fish Co., the two companies that own the respective properties in the West Ocean City Harbor. We did not hear back.