Nordic Aquafarms is suing the city of Belfast over its recent decision to reverse the use of eminent domain that had been meant to help the company develop a land-based salmon farm in the community.
The city council had voted to use eminent domain in 2021 to secure access to a contested section of mudflat where Nordic hoped to bury intake and discharge pipes running from the facility to Penobscot Bay.
But councilors formally vacated that decision earlier this month, after the project faced years of pushback and legal challenges from Belfast-area residents. It was a remarkable turnabout for city officials, who had previously been steadfast in their support for the project and the economic developments they said it would bring.
Courts have found — in part — that the city relied on a defunct survey of its municipal boundary in its eminent domain action, meaning some of the taken land could be in the town of Northport.
In its lawsuit, which is dated May 16, Nordic argued that Belfast should have worked to confirm its border before vacating the eminent domain action.
Nordic also claimed that the eminent domain can’t be revoked, and that its planned use of the land doesn’t violate restrictions in its deeds.
“Having the Superior Court determine Nordic’s rights following the Council vote is an important part of the development process, and Nordic is committed to seeing it through,” said an attorney for the company, Gavin McCarthy, in a statement.
McCarthy also said that the company is “committed to creating aquaculture jobs and increasing the City of Belfast’s tax revenue significantly each year.” He added that Nordic has contributed thousands of dollars each year to Belfast organizations and events.
An attorney for Belfast, Kristin Collins, said the city hasn’t been served with the lawsuit and declined to comment.
BDN writer Charlie Eichacker contributed reporting.