Image of Outer Brewster Island at Issue

Recent debate over AES’s proposed LNG terminal has prompted National Park officials to alter its characterization of Outer Brewster Island. The Park website now states that the island is an “Important Bird Area” and has hiking trails, where before it had been described as a “large bedrock outcropping.” Some environmentalists opposed to the Battery Rock LNG proposal are sending “postcards” portraying the island as a resting place for seals, prompting allegations that the images are designed to mislead the public. An environmental consultant retained by AES notes that 59 scientific studies of the island make no reference to seal habitats on Outer Brewster. “Clearly these are very different photos, and it does give the appearance that we are trying to use a very picturesque park area,” said Rep. Brian Dempsey, who is co-chairman of the committee holding today’s hearing at the State House. “That isn’t the case.”

The news article also notes that former White House counterterrorism official Richard Clarke said yesterday that the remoteness of the island is an advantageous security factor. “If it blows up, it doesn’t hurt anybody,” he said. “It’s almost the perfect location from a security perspective.” Outer Brewster Island is located 8 miles east of downtown Boston. An Associated Press article carried via yesterday’s Boston Globe has all the details. [Free registration necessary]