$200K in grants will help 5 Maine regions improve coastal infrastructure
The state Department of Marine Resources has awarded $202,500 in grants to advance local projects such as harbor management and increasing public access to the Maine shoreline.
The grants were awarded to the towns of Bar Harbor, Chebeague Island, Long Island and Thomaston, and to the Greater Portland Council of Governments. Individual award amounts were not disclosed.
The grants, funded by DMR's Maine Coastal Program and the federal government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will support a range of needed work.
"Maintaining public and working waterfront infrastructure, increasing access, and addressing the impacts of flooding and sea-level rise on the waterfront are common challenges for Maine’s coastal communities," said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. "These projects show the creative ways that towns and their collaborators are addressing these issues and finding solutions that will work for the future."
On Chebeague Island, Stone Wharf is the primary access point for islanders and the town is raising it to accommodate higher sea levels and storm surges. The project will help guarantee that the wharf remains useable in all conditions, increasing safety and maintaining the island community.
On Long Island, Ponce's Landing is critical for the commercial fishing industry, and funds will be used to make safety and structural upgrades to keep the landing usable in the future.
The town of Thomaston owns a parcel of land on the upper St. George, which was purchased with assistance from the Land for Maine's Future Program. The shore and harbor planning grant will fund the design of a hand-carry boat launch for kayaks and other paddle craft.
The town of Bar Harbor will use its funds to help create a master plan for the former ferry terminal near downtown, including a boat launch and public marina for recreational and commercial use.
Meanwhile, the Greater Portland Council of Governments is collaborating with the nonprofit Manomet and the towns of Georgetown, Brunswick, Harpswell and Yarmouth to help the commercial shellfish industry maintain overland access to intertidal mudflats. The project will identify opportunities to preserve or create access locations and will evaluate the vulnerability of these sites to sea level rise, storm surge and flooding.
"This round of grants was very competitive," said Melissa Britsch, senior coastal planner at DMR. "For the first time, we asked applicants to document how their proposals would increase coastal waterfront climate resilience and address the recommendations described in Maine’s Climate Plan."
The Shore and Harbor Planning Grant Program has been operating since 2006 and has distributed over $2 million to coastal communities. The next round of funding is anticipated in early 2023.
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