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E COAS PROG C-10 THE FIRST DECADE AND BEYOND GB .459.4 .M35 1989 MMN T@l RAM COASTAL ZONE INFORMATION CENTER 0 E COAS PROG ........... rF THE FIRST DECADE AND BEYOND GB .459.4 .M') 5 MMN TAL RAM @jo 1989 COASTAL ZONE INFORMAT ION CENTER E COAS PROG THE FIRST DECADE AND BEYOND PrOperty of CSC Library MMN TAL RAM LIZ IV' ,Z FOREWORD L OOKING OUT OVER ONE OF MAINE'S island-dotted bays, watch- ing as the tide inches inward and gulls surf on gusts of wind, I am struck by the continuity of this coast amidst change. The shores of Maine have changed dramatically in the last few decades, but their cultural and ecological integrity are intact. Maintaining that balance between conservation and appropriate development of our coastal resources is the task of the Maine Coastal Program, a unique working partnership of federal, state, and local interests. This booklet chronicles some of the achievements made by the Coastal Program during its first decade. It offers a chance to reflect on the critical work that has been accomplished in Maine's coastal region, and to consider the tasks that he ahead. The next few years will be challenging ones for coastal Maine. Already, over 55 percent of Maine's population lives in the coastal area, which occupies only 12 percent of the state's land area. And 3,000 people move into Maine's coastal region each year, placing increased pressure on limited coastal resources. As we prepare, for the challenges ahead, we need to acknowledge the unique value, c6ersity, ana sensitivity ofMaine's coastal resources and reafnrrm our commitment to coastal management. hn R. McKernan, Jr. vernor @rhn R McKernan, Jr. v,rnor INTRODUCTION HE MAINE COASTAL PROGRAM GREW out of federal legislation, cnactcd in 1972, that sought to "preserve, protect, develop, and where possible restore" our country's coastal resources. The Coastal Zone Management Act (or CZMA as it became known) was a response to environmental concern over unprecedented development occurring at that time along the nation's shores. The CZMA encouraged states, in cooperation with federal and local governments, to develop unified policies and criteria for managing coastal lands and waters. The Act was intended to balance resource conscryation with the need for energy development and economic growth, to resolve multiple-use conflicts in the coastal zone, and to devise measures for protecting valuable coastal resources. Maine began to implement its federally approved coastal management program in 1978, budding on groundwork laid during the preceding decade. In 1969, a Coastal Planning Group was established to conduct natural resource inventories and propose appropriate coastal management strategies for local and state government. An Advisory Committee on Coastal Developmcnt and Conservation followed, in 1976, and began to focus on several critical coastal policy issues. For the next two years, the State Planning Office held public meetings and hearings throughout Maine's coastal counties to ensure that the proposed Coastal Program would meet the needs of local communities. In 1979, tbe federal government approved Maine's coastal management program. The Program is based on 13 of the state's environmental and land use statutes, which pertain to air and water quality; siting of large projects; construction in wetlands and along beaches; shoreland zoning; solid waste sites; and marine resources. These statutes, most of which were cnactcd in the 60s and carly 70s, were at the forcfront of this country's environmental legislation. By the mid 1980s, the character and pace of coastal development prompted the State to reassess how its coastal area should be managed. In 1986, landmark legislation was enacted that extended the framework for state and local decisions affecting coastal resources. The legislation established nine state policies concerning harbor and shoreline development, public use ofthe shore, and the quality ofcoastal air and water resources. To implement these new policies, the Legislature amended several existing environmental laws. State agencies fl"A At A 'Al 411 ME ON and local governments are responsible, through their regulatory, planning, and financing decisions, for ensuring that these coastal policies are followed. In 1988, the Legislature enacted the Comprehensive Planning law, which requires mu- nicipalities in Maine to prepare comprehensive plans and implement ordinances that would improve the management of coastal resources at the local level. In addition, the Legislature strengthened several environmental statutes so as to better conserve critical state resources. Throughout the past decade, the Coastal Program has made significant progress in expanding public access opportunities to Maine's shore, conserving coastal resources, pro- moting sound coastal development, and strengthening Maine's marine industries. The following pages detail some of the Program's accomplishments in these areas, and discuss some of e work t remains to be done. I Richard H. Silkman Director ..A" - F,5 @e o @fo State Planning Office EXPANDING PUBLIC ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES TO MAINE"S SHORE F OR THE PAST 10 YEARS, public demand for access to Maine's coast has increased while avenues to the shore have decreased. Maine's shoreline has become a national commodity, prompting new subdivisions and the construction of homes and businesses. The changing patterns of shoreland ownership have closed off many access- ways used by clarnmers, worm-diggers, and beachgoers. Only 6.4 percent of Maine's coastal area is publicly owned, yet the coast is a focal point for recreation and work among state residents and visitors alike. With rapid growth in coastal population, tourism, and development, the need for more public access to the shore is acute. With a year-round population of only 1.2 million, Maine is visited by more than 4.5 million tourists annually. As demand for public access has increased, Coastal Program fiinds have q 0mir 71 helped more than 50 municipalities throughout Maine's coastal region explore and expand opportunities for the public to reach the shore. a South Portland residents used Coastal Program and other ftinds to develop a waterfront plan and to implement their vision of a "greenway" along their urban waterfront. In 1976, South Portland citizens and community leaders began working together to restore a dilapidated section of the Spring Point waterfront and convert it into a community park. Today, several miles of shoreline walkways and small park areas attract in excess of 200,000 visitors a year. * In the City of Belfast, the development of a harborfront park culminated several years' efforts to revitalize the city's waterfront area. Prior to the 1970s, the Belfast harbor had been too polluted to attract visitors. But as water V quality improved in the late 1970s, a harbor com- mittee was formed to con- sider shoreside improve- ments. Using a combina- tion of Coastal, local, and federal funds, the City made significant waterfront improvements, landscaped the area near the existing boat ramp, Belfast Waterfront Park and constructed a breakwater to protect the docking and mooring area. Then, in 1985, the city bought a 3-acre parcel along the waterfront from the local railroad and worked with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust to place a conservation easement on the property. With the casement now in place, and the picnic tables up, the City's harborfront park is a central attraction in Belfast. * In 1986, the Town of Islesboro completed a shoreline access study funded by a Coastal planning grant. The study determined the legal rights of access at 46 sites in the town, evaluated their potential for use, and provided recommendations for ways to enhance shoreline access. Of the 46 sites, 32 were found to be publicly owned and appropriate for recreational use, docking and anchorage, and commercial access for fishermen and clarn- mers. The town is now working to expand shoreline access opportunities. CONSERVING AND PROTECTING COASTAL RESOURCES HROUGH THE WORK OF LOCAL AND STATE government agen- cies, nonprofit organizations and citizen groups, the Maine Coastal Pro- gram has made impressive gains in conserving and protecting natural resources along the state's 3,500-mile shoreline. Responding to threats posed by extensive shoreline development, the Maine Coastal Pro- gram has supported more than 70 municipal efforts to revise, develop and implement comprehensive land use plans and ordinances. Towns like York, Wells, and Ogunquit in Southern Maine, used Coastal Program funds to develop plans and ordinances that would guide their town's rapid growth. Farther downcast, Coastal Program funds were used to plan for new seasonal and year-round development. Bar Harbor, Castine, Ellsworth, Cherryfield, and Calais have all developed comprehensive plans that help set the direction of future growth while protecting critical resources. Every coastal community has obtained technical assistance from state and regional agencies to address high-priority conservation issues. Through these agencies, the Program has funded staff posi- tions and trained local officials on various coastal management issues. In the town of Wells, local citizens took action Ago., in 1982 when the 250-acre Laudholm saltwater farm went up for sale. The Laudholm farm is a ith an impressive array of wet- unique property, w lands and upland meadows and a 300-year-old farm- stead. The local community raised money from more than 2,000 individuals, corporations, and Wells National Estuarine foundations, and successfully qualified for matching grants from the Maine Coastal Researcb Reserve Program. In 1984, the town purchased the farm, and combined the property with 1,000 acres of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Reftige and 200 acres of the Laudholin State Park to form the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Reserve provides the public with unsurpassed educational opportunities to learn about coastal ecosystems, and offers marine scientists an area to conduct coastal research. Affter purchasing the property, Wells received Program funds to plan how the site should be used by the public. Using this plan, the town constructed overlooks, boardwalks (providing handicapped access), interpre- tive signs, and six trails so that visitors could appreciate the Reserve's highlights without endangering its fragile ecology. e The Coastal Program works with municipalities in Maine to study how land develop- ment affects their natural resources. The cumulative impacts of incremental development on coastal resources were first discussed in 1978, when the Committee on Coastal Devel- opment and Conservation began to consider how increased growth can gradually cause degradation of natural resources such as groundwater, wildlife, and open space. By the mid 1980s, the State recognized that the cumulative impacts of numerous small projects must be addressed. In 1985, the Program fianded a study of nine Southern Maine towns undergoing rapid growth. The study concluded that only -7:: with thorough planning c uld -7, 7 towns adequately protect vulner- able resources. By establishing measures such as density limits and setbacks in advance of pro- posed developments, towns could protect their natural resources from cumulative degradation. The recommendations of this Coastal Program study led directly to the growth management legislation, enacted in the spring of 1988, which requires, among other things, that towns prepare comprehensive plans which meet state standards for protecting natural resources. Changes to Maine's core laws have further strengthened the conservation of coastal resources. The 13 core laws underlying Maine's Coastal Program have evolved to meet changing conditions in the state over the last decade. The Water Quality law has been amended to better protect rivers and groundwater; the Coastal Wetlands law now governs sand dunes; and lead, chromium, and sulfur dioxide standards have been set for air pollution. Special setback requirements were incorporated into the State's Site Location of Develop- ment law, and outstanding river segments were afforded special protection under the Shoreland Zoning and Alteration of Rivers, Streams, and Brooks laws. Changes to the state's Marine Resources Management law have allowed the Department of Marine Resources to better manage the taking of shellfish and groundfish. In 1988, several state laws were combined into the Natural Resources Protection Act, in order to simplify the application process while simultaneously strengthening the protection of coastal resources. PROMOTING SOUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HE MAINE COASTAL PROGRAM ACTIVELY promotes the develop- ment of coastal resources that can provide short- and long-term benefits to the state without jeopardizing the ecological integrity of the coast. Since the earliest European settlers moved to Maine in the 1600s, the coast has been the foundation of the state's economy. While the coastal area occupies only 12 percent of Maine's land area, it contains more than 65 percent of all jobs. With both coastal population and tourism increasing, Maine's coast will continue to have a significant impact on the state's economic well-being. The goal of the Coastal Program is to balance the appropriate development of the coast with the conservation of fragile or threatened resources. Development initiatives pursued by the Program have, to a large extent, focused on the coast's natural, renewable resources. By placing a priority on maintaining the quality of valuable coastal resources, Maine ensures a solid foundation for its economic development in the ffiture. * The Coastal Program has helped enhance the economic strength of Maine's ports through its support for cargo piers. In Eastport, for example, the Coastal Program provided funds for waterfront planning that led to the city's revitalization as an active port. The city undertook feasibility and market- ing studies for a cargo-handling facility and decided, on the basis of these studies, to acquire a federally- owned breakwater and convert it to a cargo pier. Further Coastal Pro- 9 ram funds helped the city rcvital- ize its downtown area, construct a fish pier, and study the feasibility of establishing a ferry service between Eastport and Lubec. Eastport Cargo Port The decision to construct a cargo port in Eastport grew out of Coastal Program studies, done in 1977 and 1978, that analyzed the state's needs and capabilities for cargo ports. These studies determined that Eastport, Searsport, and Portland were ideal sites for new or 10 1 AIN expanded cargo facilities. A public referendum in 1980 approved $40 million for cargo port development and work began in Searsport and Eastport. In Portland, the Program successfully coordinated a unique partnership among local, state, and private interests in the construction of the Bath Iron Works ship-repair facility. This $45 million facility created more than 800 jobs along Portland's waterfront and revitalized a section of the harbor. * The Coastal Program has assisted municipalities with recreational boating facilities, as well as commercial ones. In the late 1970s, for example, the Coastal Program helped fund a joint waterfront study by the cities of Bangor and Hampden. Based on that study, Bangor decided to upgrade its docking facility in town, and use a 30-acre gravel pit that it owned along Hampden's waterfront for a new marina. Coastal Program funds helped the towns conduct a feasibility study for the marina, design the structure, and assist with its construction. To extend the revitalization of its urban waterfront area for public and private use, Bangor used further Coastal Program grants to restore its historic waterworks facility and construct a riverfront park. STRENGTHENING FISHERIES AND WATER-DEPENDENT INDUSTRIES N INETEEN EIGHTY-SIX WAS a watershed year for marine industries along Maine's coast. Citizens successfully convinced their state legisla- tors that state-level action was needed to protect and support water-dependent uses (i.e., those businesses that must be situated on the water in order to function). With tittle controversy, the legislature established - as a matter ofstate policy - that water-dependent industries are important to the economy and culture of Maine. The policy states that marine uses - such as boat yards, commercial fishing enterprises, marinas and waterborne commerce - should take priority in shoreline siting decisions over uses that do not rely on the water, such as condominiums and restaurants. It was agreed that without action taken by local governments and state agencies, residential developments would displace water- dependent operations and permanently disable traditional marine industries. When the Coastal Program began a decade ago, many coastal industries were plagued by difficulties. Fisheries were being harvested heavily by Ww wnw_ 7@ ,,,,,v1 tore 0 ign boats, and catches were declining. Commer- cial shipping and related shoreside facilities were de- 4 tenorating, with piers and wharves rotting away. Several key events stopped this downward spiral. Most important was the Congressional act that ex- tended the U.S. fisheries-conservation area from 3 to 200 miles, banning foreign fishing fleets from waters within 200 miles of Maine's coast. Maine's fisher- men responded by building larger boats, hiring bigger crews, landing more fish, and increasing rates of processing. Boat yards, in turn, expanded to meet the increased demand for marine service. Confronted with this sudden turnaround, the Coastal Program worked to ensure that shoreside facilities could provide for the increased volume offish being landed. a Between 1977 and 1979, the Governor's Coastal Conservation and Development Committee conducted an analysis of Maine's fisheries and on-shore facilities for receiving and processing fish. The study concluded that while there were ample fisheries resources, there were inadequate facilities along the coast for unloading catches. A $10 million bond issue was passed by public referendum in 1979, providing matching fimds for seven new fish 12 piers in Saco, Kermebunk, Portland, Rockland, Vinalhaven, Stonington, and Eastport. The piers have provided significant economic benefits, with the landed value of fish, in 1986, being $107,982,000 statewide. While the fish pier program provided improved waterfront facilities in several important harbors, fishermen faced new competition for use of the water- 's front. By the early 1980s, Maine's rapid economic growth prompted increased recreational boating and numerous plans to build homes, offices, restaurants and retail stores AT along some of Maine's prime working harbors. As new devel @N opment raised property values along the water, many traditional industries that depended on the water were priced out of the mar- % ket. In response to the 1986 state p olicy decision supporting water- dependent industries, the C oastal gproj- Program initiated a mappin ect to determine which areas along ;Ut' the coast are best suited for tradi tional marine industries. Results lo 4@ of the watcr-dependent use map- ping project have helped the ''N' Coastal Program provide fiinds where they are most needed and assist state agencies in reviewing VT 4 shoreline development proposals. The Coastal Program has also helped fiind a unique cooperative venture among Maine's water-dependent commercial interests. The Maine Marine Alliance was formed in 1988, uniting a diverse spectrum of groups, from marine operators to commercial fishermen, who share a common interest in protecting traditional marine indus- tries. The Alliance seeks to work, in collaboration with local and state government, to strengthen Maine's marine industries by improving marine water quality, increasing shoreline access opportunities, and strengthening water-dependent industries. 13 LOOKING AHEAD HE MAINE COASTAL PROGRAM'S FIRST DECADE demonstrated how well the unique federal/state/local partnership in coastal management can work. Over the next decade, Maine will need to strengthen this partnership as we wrestle with new and more complex coastal issues. Increasingly, as Maine tackles these issues, we must emphasize regional as well as municipal solutions. This section explores some of the issues facing Maine's coastal lands, nearshore waters, and open ocean. These three regions form an ecological and economic continuum, in which action taken in one area affects the other regions. Because of this interdependence, we must manage Maine's coastal area as a continuum, knowing that what happens in coastal watersheds can affect marine life miles out to sea. Working on solutions to coastal issues will involve concurrent cfforts to manage watersheds, the water's edge, and the open ocean. M79 t 0-44@ 14 WATERSHEDS: Municipal Comprebensive Planning and Coastal Resource Management. In 1988, the state legislature enacted a law that requires every Maine town to adopt a comprehensive land use plan based on state standards. The plan will shape a town's land use and zoning ordinances and its fiscal approach to issues such as affordable housing and capital improve- ments. Because Maine's municipalities review most land use and construction proposals, towns V are essential partners with the state in stewarding coastal resources. To make this partnership work, municipalities need to devise thorough comprehensive plans that answer current challenges and anticipate future ones. As towns and cities work to adopt plans and ordinances, the state needs to provide financial and technical assistance. Training programs for local officials, such as planning board members and code enforcement officers, win be a critical part of this assistance. Protecting Significant NaturalAreas.- Working cooperatively with coastal municipalities, the state has made impressive progress in protecting sensitive, vital ecosystems along Maine's shore. Residents in Maine have clearly voiced their desire to conserve important natural areas in public referenda such as the 1987 bond providing $35 million to purchase "Land for Maine's Future." The creation of roughly 20 land trusts along the coast during the past 10 years also indicates the commitment of local people to protecting important natural areas of local or regional significance. Local and state government needs to continue identif@ing and protecting significant natural areas threatened by undesirable change. Existing state programs designed to conserve natural areas, flora, and fauna could be enhanced to counter increased pressures from development along Maine's coast. Further research to document the type and location of natural resources would greatly enhance coastal resource management efforts. Environmental Threats: Recent scientific studies indicate that acid rain is damaging coastal ecosystems. A product of fossil fuel combustion, acid rain promotes algal growth that robs marine life of light and oxygen necessary for survival. The New England states must work collaboratively to reduce the levels of airborne contaminants throughout the region. The safe disposal of solid and hazardous waste in the coastal region will become increasingly difficult as population increases and available disposal sites are filled. Increased population in coastal areas places heightened pressure on the amount of surface and groundwater resources, and development may cause more waters to become contaminated. The state and municipalities will need to vigorously enforce existing environmental laws and work to educate the public about the threats posed by increasing development. 1151 Public Education and Involvement in Resource Management Issues. As population and de- velopment pressures along the coast grow, the need for public education becomes more criti- cal. State agencies need to develop more outreach programs, educational displays, and pub- lications to inform local citizens about natural resource issues and relevant environmental laws. The state could encourage the formation of citizen monitoring programs that encourage local stewardship of coastal resources, such as rivers and In to Oman we a GrOWhV ftblon harbors. More technical assistance materials, such as ,TEACH YOUR TRASH To Mm handbooks on shorcland management, could be produced for coastal communites faced with local concerns. Working closely with nonprofit organiza- tions and private businesses, the state could also help augment existing environmental educational pro- grams. A* Strengtbening the Coastal Economy. In 1987, the state formulated an economic development strategy for Maine with specific recommendations for the coast. Central to this strategy is the need to actively manage our natural resources and assure that ade- quate public facilities are available to support appro- priate economic development initiatives. The state needs to work collaboratively with coastal industries and organizations like the Maine Marine Alliance to foster promising economic development activities such as aquaculture. 41@_"Nobjb' Z-1 Maine Coastal Program Educational Display 16 AT THE EDGE OF THE SEA: Management ofMarine Water Quality: Few issues demonstrate the ecological continuum of the coast more clearly than marine pollution. While the quality of Maine's marine waters is still quite high, recent scientific findings point toward rising levels of contaminants from a wide range of sources. Toxic substances are washing into Maine's water from urban and agricultural runoff, atmospheric pollution, and sewage overflow. While the 1987 overboard discharge law bans new residential discharges into marine waters and will phase out many existing systems, the state needs to help communities upgrade municipal systems and prevent stormwater overload. The state must look towards controlling "non-point" sources of pollution, such as runoff from farmfields, parking lots, and rooftops. These ubiquitous sources ofmarine contamination mill require broad- based changes inland use planning, such as the use of detention basins and buffer strips. The state has begun an educational effort to better inform residents and visitors about the hazards of plastic debris in the marine environment. In the years ahead, plastic recycling programs need to be promoted, and better dockside facilities need to be provided for waste disposal from vessels. The state could cooperate with the federal government to fund and implement a thorough marine research and monitoring program so that incipient pollution problems can be de- tected and resolved before serious harm is done to Maine's marine environment. Maine's new marine research vessel '000 ARGO-MAINE 1171 Harbor Management and Water-dependent Industries. In response to rapid and un- planned development, the state legislature directed state agencies and municipalities to implement strategies that would protect traditional marine industries within Maine's ports and harbors. The management of ports and harbors ties directly into Maine's larger discussion of sound growth management: during the years ahead, harbor management policies will shape how Maine's coastline is used. In developing comprehensive plans and ordinances, local governments will play a critical role in determining uses of their water- fronts. The state needs to encourage towns to support watcr-dependent industries through long-range planning, zoning decisions, and local capital improvements. These activities will help assure that the cultural and social heritage of coastal Maine is maintained. Aquaculture: Since aquaculture first became established along Maine's coast during the early 1970s, it has held tremendous economic promise for the state. Important technologi- cal advances in the past 15 years have allowed the aquaculture industry to expand dramatically. Faced with declining wild fish stocks, Maine needs to promote aquaculture in the years ahead, while taking steps to insure that the industry is compatible with existing fish- eries and does not harm the aim marine environment. The in- dustry's expansion will depend *Pwn on an active, well-ftinded re- search and development pro- gram to help improve the vari- ety, volume, and quality of aquaculture products. iWIM" Sbc14(zsb Hatcbery 1181 Coastalflooding. Sea level is rising steadily, and Maine needs to make difficult decisions about how it will adapt to this change. As sea level increases and the shoreline retreats, Maine will face increased coastal erosion and flooding, saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers, and loss of coastal structures and recreational facilities. The State should consider the implications of sea level rise in its permitting and funding decisions that affect coastal resources. Island Environments and Culture: Maine's islands, once thought to be free from the development pressures on the mainland, are particularly susceptible to environmental damage. Their fragile, self-contained ecosystems will require special management efforts in the future. Drinking water, the continuation of viable year-round communities, and solid waste disposal are three vital issues that presently concern many of Maine's islands. 19 BLUE WATER V GulfofMaine Initiative: One of the world's most productive seas, the Gulf of Maine has provided coastal Maine with plentiful marine resources. The wealth of the Gulf has fostered economic growth and development along Maine's shores for 300 years. While the Gulf continues to offer awide range of opportunities for recreation and economic development, growing population and pollution are beginning to strain its resources, making clear the need for sound management. The Gulf of Maine will retain its health and productivity only as long as we manage it responsibly. Stewardship of the Gulf poses an unusual challenge in that two nations, three states (Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts) and two provinces (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) all border on the Gulps single ecosystem. Developing a long-term strategy that can address pollution abatement, fisheries manage- ment, energy production, wetlands protection, and sea level rise in the Gulf will be a challenge. As the different governments become accustomed to working together, the prospects for successfully managing the Gulfs unique resources will be enhanced. A sound management strategy for the Gulf of Maine will rely on thorough scientific data documenting the Gulfs diverse resources. Maine needs to work with the other states and provinces around the Gulf to conduct thorough, ongoing research into the physical, chemical, and biological properties of this water body. When more is known about its resources, a bilateral management program can be developed to sustain and strengthen its resources. 70 Z-0 7 C@ ......... .. F OR CENTURIES, Maine has drawn its strength, livelihood, and character from the sea. While the nature of our relationship to the sea has changed over the years, and continues to evolve, our philosophical, economic, and environmental connections to the ocean remain a critical part of our heritage. By strengthening our commitment to the sound management of coastal resources, we can ensure that future generations will enjoy the cultural and ecological integrity of Maine's coast. 21 SOUTHERN MID-COAST Gardiner Rockland COAST Alna Georgetown Rockport Arundel Arrowsic Hallowell Searsport Biddeford Augusta Harpswell South Bristol Cape Elizabeth Bath Isle au Haut South Thomaston Cumberland Belfast Islesboro Southport Eliot Boothbay Lincolnville St. George Falmouth Boothbay Harbor Matinicus Thomaston Freeport Bowdoinham Monhegan Topsham Kennebunk Bremen Newcastle Vinalhaven Kennebunkport Bristol Nobleboro Waldoboro Kittery Brunswick North Haven Warren Ogunquit Camden Northport West Bath Old Orchard Beach Chelsea Owls Head Westport Portland Crichaven Perkins Twp. Wiscasset Saco Cushing Phippsburg Woolwich Scarborough Damariscotta Pittston South Berwick Dresden Randolph South Portland Edgecomb Richmond Wells Farmingdale Yarmough Friendship York COASTAL MUNICIPALITIES IN MAINE 22 H:@ @3 @i T5@ 5 6 . . . . ..... Stockton Springs Stonington Sullivan Surry Milbridge Swans Island Mount Desert Tremont Orland Trenton Ellsworth Frankfort Orrington Trescott Veazie Pembroke Franklin Verona Penobscot Frenchbora VA-iiting Perry Gouldsboro Castine Hampden Whitneyville Pleasant Point Centerville Hancock Prospect Winter Harbor DOWNEAST Cherryfield Harrington Robbinston Winterport Addison Columbia Jonesboro Roque Bluffs T7SD Bangor Columbia Falls Jonesport Sedgewick T8SD Bar Harbor Cranberry Isles Lamoine Sorrento T9SD Beals Cutler Lubec Southwest Harbor TIOSD Blue Hill Deer Isle Machias Steuben Brewer Dennysville Machiasport Brooklin East Machias Marion Brooksville Eastport Marshfield Bucksport Eddington. Calais Edmonds 1231 APPENDIX A: KEY CONCEPTS Coastal Managment. The planning, development, conservation, and regulation ofcoastal resources by federal, state, regional, and local governments. CoastalResources.- The state's coastal waters and adjacent shorclands, their natural resources and habitats, which together form an integrated terrestrial, estuarine, and marine ecosystem. Coastal Region: The coastal area includes all townships that border on the ocean or tidal waters, and extends seaward for 3 miles, to the outer limits of U.S. territorial waters. In Maine, the coastal region includes 152 townships. Cumulative Impact: The incremental effects of numerous small development projects whose individual effects are minimal but whose collective impact can be significant. Federal Consistency: Under the terms of the original Coastal Zone Management Act, enacted by Congress in 1972, a state with a federally approved program (such as Maine's) can require all fccleral activities in the coastal region to be consistent with state law. This means that federal activities such as dredging of harbors or fimcling of municipal sewage treatment plants must meet the state's land use and environmental protection regulations. Before the Maine Coastal Program was implemented in 1978, the federal government could pursue activities along the coast that violated state environmental laws. Localfinancial and technical assistance: The Coastal Program provides a wide variety of technical and financial assistance to Maine's 152 coastal communities. Assistance is given Aith: shoreland zoning, comprehensive and environmental planning, recreational site planning and development, coastal erosion and hazard mitigation; and shoreline access management. Sborc Access. All people in Maine, residents and visitors alike, should be able to reach the shoreline, whether they are there for recreational or commercial purposes. Shorefine access for the public includes perpendicular access (e.g., from a public road across public property to the shoreline) and parallel access (e.g., public land that parallels the shore). Facilities at a shore access site may range from a simple walkway to a ftffly serviced state park. Submerged Lands: All lands stretching seaward 3 miles from the low-water mark: they are owned and regulated by the state. Water-dependent Uses: Marine uses that must be located along the shore or in coastal waters in order to operate are known as water-dependent uses. These uses range from commercial fish piers and boatyards to industrial waterborne commerce. APPENDIX B: MAINE COASTAL PROGRAM'S PRIMARY PARTICIPANTS Maine State Planning Office houses the Maine Coastal Program, which assists coastal towns with planning, helps develop coastal policies for the state, and helps educate the public concerning coastal issues. The Program assist municipal efforts to enhance shore access, reduce marine pollution, and preserve working waterfronts. The Critical Areas Program, a division of the State Planning Office, has received Coastal Program funds to document and encourage the voluntary conservation of neary 300 sites along Maine's coast. Department ofEconomic and Community Development houses the Office of Comprehensive Land Use Planning which administers local planning grants to coastal towns. The Office also administers a regional program of coastal coordinators and offers technical assistance to communities on coastal issues such as public access and working waterfronts. Department of Environmental Protection administers laws affecting coastal wetlands, sand dunes, overboard discharges of treated wastewater, oil pollution, and site location approval of major developments. Department of Marine Resources has divisions responsible for marine education (elementary through high school students), fisheries technologies, seafood quaality management marketing, marine research, marine resource protection, and enforcement of boating laws along the coast. Department of Conservation has four bureaus involved in coastal resource projects. The Bureau of Parks and Recreation acquires and manages recreational areas for Maine residents, including coastal parks and boat access sites. The Bureau of Public Lands holds title to approximately 900 state-owned islands and governs activities in Maine's submerged lands. The Maine Geological Survey helps study coastal geology and identify coastal areas prone to erosion and storm damage. The Land Use Regulation Commission has jurisdiction over unorganized territories along Maine's coast. Department ofInland Fisheries and Wildlife acquires land that will foster its goal of managing the state's wildlife: at present, it manages about 200 wildlife sites. Municipal Governments are responsible for enforcing the shoreland zoning act, coordinating the planning process, and initiating waterfront improvement projects. Regional Planning Councils provide technical assistance, community development assistance, and planning services to local governments Arithin their region. In the coastal areas the regional planning councils include the Eastern Mid-coast Planning Commission, Greater Portland Council of Governments, Hancock County Regional Planning Commission, Lincoln County Planning and Resource Office, Penobscot Valley Council of Govern- ments, Southern Kennebec Planning and Development Commission, Southern Maine Regional Planning Com- mission, Southern Mid-coast Council of Governments, and Washington County Regional Planning Commission. National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationIC!Oice of Ocean and Coastal Resource Mana gement is the federal agency responsible for implementing aspects of the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act, through which the Maine Coastal Program was established. 9A. &rr ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This public document was printed by the Maine Coastal Program, with filnding provided by the Federal Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, under Section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Printed under appropria- tion number 3024-1313. Color Photos: Rand Raabe (pp. 6, 9, and 21); Peter Ralston (p. 5); Flis Schauffler (p.2); and Jcff Stevenson (p. 11, and 13) BlacklWhite Photos: John March/Maine Coast Heritage Trust (p. 7); R. Magrath (p.8); Edward French/The Quoddy Tides (p. 10); Portland Press Herald (p. 12); John T. Megas/Maine State Arcliivcs/Ruth Ann Hill (p. 14); L.L. Bean, Inc. (p. 16); Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (p. 17); and Brian Beal (p. 18). WritinglEditing. David Keeley, Maine Coastal Program Director; and Flis Schauffler, Maine Coastal Program Communications Coordinator Design: John O'Brien Printing: Franklin Printing 110IN1111111111m 1 3 6668 14103 7848 I a @'A w MAINE COASTAL PROGRAM Maine State Planning Office State House Station 38 Augusta, ME 04333 207/289-3261