I am against the possibility of tar sands coming into South Portland through the Portland Pipe Line. The environmental hazards tar sands present are unlike any other we have had in our city. Any project like this would be in direct opposition to the sustainable measures our city has taken in the past several years.

Time and time again South Portland has shown itself to be a “green” city. In 2005 and 2006 as a board member of the South Portland Land Trust I worked with the Land Trust membership and the Meetinghouse Hill Neighborhood association to stop the plans for development on Sawyer Marsh. The City Council protected Sawyer Marsh and showed they would protect the natural environment in our city and could balance it with development and land use.

Again the city is being asked to strike a balance between the environmental and human needs and the needs of a corporation and land use. The risks of tar sands are too great to have them be a part of our city. Our waterways and properties would be irreparably damaged should an accident happen.

Please come to the City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, to show your support for the council to pass the moratorium that would prevent development of land to bring tar sands to our city.

Helen Slocum
South Portland