Planning for the Future of Coastal Communities

Coastal Access

Multiple uses of Maine's coast place competing demands on an increasingly limited resource. Water-dependent industries, ranging from traditional fisheries to recreational businesses, as well as the public at large, face limited access to the ocean. This signals an important change in our coastal heritage over the last 50 years. Municipal officials, water-dependent industries, and residents have all identified the need for outreach and assistance to help maintain the character of, and access to, Maine's waterfront areas for diverse users while creating a climate that is growth-friendly.

Coastal Housing

Over the last decade, skyrocketing property values have had an effect on the heritage, diversity, and natural resources of our coastal communities. Maine Sea Grant is working with partners to help coastal communities address the need for decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, apartments, or other living accommodations for low to moderate income households.

KEYS: Our Future by Design

In the last five + years, the boom of the housing market in the greater Boston area has priced out many, pushing them further and further south, west and north of the city. Being within 60 miles of downtown Boston, southern York county Maine has experienced extreme development pressure during this timeframe, resulting in sprawling development patterns. Maine has historically been the most economically challenged of the New England states and sprawl has increased pressure on the limited fiscal state and municipal resources.

Coastal Tourism Planning

In the last several years, Maine Sea Grant has recognized tourism as an important aspect of the coastal economy. Throughout the Gulf of Maine region, tourism offers communities both economic promise and environmental concern. In Maine, the tourism industry and its affiliated support services employ more than fishing, farming, forestry, and aquaculture combined.

Protecting Our Children's Water

Protecting water from pollution as southern Maine develops depends upon collaboration across town boundaries. The Protecting Our Children’s Water, 2005 – 2025 project is a proactive, regional approach to water protection and management. The approach has been implemented in two southern Maine watersheds to date: the Merriland, Branch, Little River (MBLR) watershed (in Sanford, Kennebunk, and Wells) and the York River watershed (in South Berwick, Eliot, York, and Kittery).