BRUNSWICK

Two opposing environmental studies have placed the town’s Marine Resources Committee members in a bind.

At issue is whether to reopen Simpson’s Point to powerboat traffic or leave it accessible only to canoeists and kayakers, as it has been for the past five years.

The absence of vehicle and motorized boating traffic has made the relatively isolated access point to Middle Bay increasingly popular with recreational boaters and waders.

During fair weather, the narrow Simpson’s Point Road regularly is lined with cars. Canoes and kayaks dot the beach and old concrete ramp, and families of picnickers and sunbathers flock to the ledges and coarse sand beach.

The launching ramp was closed to power boat traffic in 2008, after a study linked the effects of power boats to a decline in the health of eelgrass in the area. A subsequent study by Brunswick marine environmental firm MER Assessment Corp. found that the delicate marine species has continued to decline during the five years since Simpson’s Point use was limited to people-powered craft.

As a result, clammers and fishermen want the town to consider reopening Simpson’s Point — a move that would require the Town Council to agree on it, and then make a formal request to the state Department of Environmental Protection to reverse its 2008 decision.

A first step would be for the Marine Resources Committee, which advocates primarily for the town’s shellfish diggers and commercial fishermen, to make such a recommendation to the council. During their meeting tonight, they will discuss whether Simpson’s Point is a safer access location for commercial fishing.

Simpson’s Point was limited to recreational traffic as part of the town’s agreement with the DEP when the new ramp at Mere Point was opened. The Mere Point facility is much larger, with two separate launching ramps and far more space for trucks and boat trailers.

However, the advantage to Simpson’s Point is proximity — it’s about two miles closer to Middle Bay Cove than Mere Point, meaning boaters don’t have to row or motor as far to fish or dig.