Boston (August 24, 2021) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) and Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09) today wrote to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) urging Coast Guard First District Commander Rear Admiral Thomas G. Allan to reconsider plans to consolidate Station Scituate, a small seasonal station in Massachusetts, as part of an effort to consolidate redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations. South Shore communities argue that Station Scituate is not a redundant station, but a crucial and geographically necessary station based off of recent search and rescue operations and an increase in commercial and recreational boater activity.

 

“Considering the increase in boater activity and the legitimate response time and distance concerns raised by the local officials, we respectfully request that the Coast Guard reconsiders its decision to consolidate Station Scituate and works with the South Shore communities to reach a mutually beneficial outcome,” wrote the lawmakers in their letter.

 

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

 

In June, the USCG published a document in the Federal Register requesting comments for the planned consolidation of redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations, including Station Scituate. However, local officials from Scituate and surrounding communities were not notified of Scituate’s inclusion on the Register until July 23. In response, the Coast Guard moved the deadline to submit public comments from August 3 to September 22 to allow for residents and community leaders to submit comment.