After Nearly 3 Years Of Scrutiny, The Fate Of A Belfast Fish Farm Could Come Down To A Judge

BELFAST, Maine — Mainers casually following the nearly three-year-long effort to construct a $500 million land-based salmon facility in Belfast might be wondering what’s taken so long. It’s a thought that has probably crossed the minds of Norwegian aquaculture entrepreneurs Marianne Naess and Erik Heim, too. After a lengthy process marked by fierce local opposition and complex, unresolved legal battles, the Nordic Aquafarms executives remain hopeful the company can soon move forward with its project and get to work raising fish. Earlier this month, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection approved draft water, air and land permits for the project — something that the Nordic executives consider to be a milestone. After a comment period, the board is expected to issue the final permits.