DOCSLIB.ORG

State of Maine's Environment 2010

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

State of Maine’s Environment 2010 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Colby Environmental Policy Group Colby College Environmental Studies Program Waterville, Maine State of Maine’s Environment 2010 2 State of Maine's Environment 2010 Colby Environmental Policy Group Rachel Baron Blair Braverman Li Yu Chan Lia d'Hemecourt Francis Gassert Tamer Hassan Andrea Notopoulos Gordon Padelford Theo Papademetriou Brynna Patel Sophie Sarkar Richard Schwartz J. Sarah Sorenson Brooke Wanlass The State of Maine's Environment is a series of reports written and produced by the Colby Environmental Policy Group, senior environmental policy majors at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. This is the sixth State of Maine's Environment report created by students enrolled in ES 493: Environmental Policy Practicum taught by Philip J. Nyhus, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Colby College. Suggested Citation for Full Report: Colby Environmental Policy Group. 2010. State of Maine’s Environment 2010. Waterville, Maine: Colby College Environmental Studies Program. Contact: Philip J. Nyhus, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901 <[email protected]> Electronic Version of Report: https://wiki.colby.edu/display/stateofmaine2010/ © Colby College Environmental Studies Program, Waterville, ME 04901 State of Maine’s Environment 2010 Acknowledgements We gratefully appreciate the support and assistance of the following individuals in helping us to complete the State of Maine's Environment 2010 report: John Picher Director, Engineering and Realty, Bureau of Parks and Lands Will Harris Director, Bureau of Parks and Lands Eliza Townsend Commissioner, Department of Conservation Charlene Daniels Reservations Manager Paul Anderson Maine SeaGrant: Director/Marine Extension Program Glen Marquis Project Development Manager, ORPC, Maine Paul Jacobson Senior Project Manager, EPRI, Maine Hannah Dean Graduate Student, UMASS Boston Mario Teisl University of Maine: Orono Teresa Johnson University of Maine: Orono James Levitt The Program on Conservation Innovation, Harvard Forest Bill Zoellick Acadia Partners Dave Jarvis Retired Operations Manager, Waste Management Ted Ames Penobscot East Resource Center Stephanie Clement Friends of Acadia David MacDonald Maine Coast Heritage Trust Kevin Athearn University of Maine at Machias Natalie Springuel College of the Atlantic Mark Berry Executive Director, Downeast Lakes Land Trust Misha Mytar Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands Mike Tetreault The Nature Conservancy Maggie Shannon Maine Congress of Lake Associations Peter Kallin Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance Roy Bouchard Maine DEP Lake Assessment Program John McPhedran Maine Bureau of Land and Water Quality From Colby College we acknowledge the help of: Philip Nyhus Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Manny Gimond GIS and Quantitative Analysis Specialist Lia Morris Environmental Studies Coordinator Russ Cole Chair, Environmental Studies Program Douglas Terp Vice President for Administration and Treasurer, Colby College Patricia Murphy Director of Physical Plant, Colby College Part of this research (State of Lakes) was indirectly supported by the activities of the Belgrade Lakes Watershed Sustainability Project: Modeling Resilience and Adaptation in the Belgrade Lakes Watershed through a Maine EPSCoR Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) grant to Colby College. No funds from this grant were used in this course, but many of our contacts are active participants in this project. iv State of Maine’s Environment 2010 Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 The State of State Parks in Maine ................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Methods ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Laws and Institutions ................................................................................................................................ 8 Stakeholders .............................................................................................................................................. 8 State of State Parks .................................................................................................................................. 10 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Scenarios ................................................................................................................................................. 28 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 29 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix ................................................................................................................................................. 30 Works Cited ............................................................................................................................................ 31 The State of Lakes in Maine ......................................................................................................... 35 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 35 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Methods ................................................................................................................................................... 37 Laws and Institutions .............................................................................................................................. 38 Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................................ 41 The State of Lakes ................................................................................................................................... 43 Implications ............................................................................................................................................. 68 Scenarios ................................................................................................................................................. 69 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 70 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................... 71 Works Cited ............................................................................................................................................ 73 The State of Wood Biomass Energy in Maine .............................................................................. 82 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 82 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 82 Methods ................................................................................................................................................... 86 Laws and Institutions .............................................................................................................................. 86 Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................................ 88 State of Biomass ...................................................................................................................................... 89 Wood Biomass Development Potential .................................................................................................. 98 Potential Scenarios ................................................................................................................................ 101 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 102 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................. 102 Appendix ............................................................................................................................................... 103 Works Cited .........................................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Doggin' America's Beaches

    Doggin' America's Beaches

    Doggin’ America’s Beaches A Traveler’s Guide To Dog-Friendly Beaches - (and those that aren’t) Doug Gelbert illustrations by Andrew Chesworth Cruden Bay Books There is always something for an active dog to look forward to at the beach... DOGGIN’ AMERICA’S BEACHES Copyright 2007 by Cruden Bay Books All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher. Cruden Bay Books PO Box 467 Montchanin, DE 19710 www.hikewithyourdog.com International Standard Book Number 978-0-9797074-4-5 “Dogs are our link to paradise...to sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.” - Milan Kundera Ahead On The Trail Your Dog On The Atlantic Ocean Beaches 7 Your Dog On The Gulf Of Mexico Beaches 6 Your Dog On The Pacific Ocean Beaches 7 Your Dog On The Great Lakes Beaches 0 Also... Tips For Taking Your Dog To The Beach 6 Doggin’ The Chesapeake Bay 4 Introduction It is hard to imagine any place a dog is happier than at a beach. Whether running around on the sand, jumping in the water or just lying in the sun, every dog deserves a day at the beach. But all too often dog owners stopping at a sandy stretch of beach are met with signs designed to make hearts - human and canine alike - droop: NO DOGS ON BEACH.
  • Penobscot Bay Watch

    Penobscot Bay Watch

    PENOBSCOTBAY Maine National Estuary Program Nomination STATE OF MAINE OFFICEOF THE GOVERNOR AUGUSTA. MAINE 04333 ANGUS S. KING, JR. GOVERNOR March 6, 1995 Administrator Carol Browner US. Environmental Protection Agency 401 M. Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Dear Ms. Browner: 1 am pleased to submit a State of Maine Conference Agreement that nominates Penobscot Bay for designation in the National Estuary Program. The Agreement describes the Bay's key issues and actions to respond to them, how we will continue to involve the public in developing and implementing solutions to these most pressing issues, and how we propose to finance this estuary project. Our nomination for Penobscot Bay is consistent with EPA's December; 1994 guidance that calls for considerable initiative by a state before requesting designation. Public and private entities have worked cooperatively since 1992 and made remarkable progress. Two major conferences have brought together all levels of government, the nonprofit community, Bay businesses and the public to talk openly about key issues and possible solutions. These and other activities described in the attached document have laid a solid foundation for a successful national estuaq project. I believe our estuary project will be successfully implemented because of the active participation of five state agencies over the past three years. These agencies (the Departments of Environmental Protection, Marine Resources, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Economic and Community Developmenf and the State Planning Office) are committed to this project and I am confident that in concert with our nonprofit, municipal and business partners we will m&e important strides to protect and restore Penobscot Bay.
  • Maine SCORP 2009-2014 Contents

    Maine SCORP 2009-2014 Contents

    Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2009-2014 December, 2009 Maine Department of Conservation Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) Steering Committee Will Harris (Chairperson) -Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands John J. Daigle -University of Maine Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program Elizabeth Hertz -Maine State Planning Office Cindy Hazelton -Maine Recreation and Park Association Regis Tremblay -Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Dan Stewart -Maine Department of Transportation George Lapointe -Maine Department of Marine Resources Phil Savignano -Maine Office of Tourism Mick Rogers - Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Terms Expired: Scott DelVecchio -Maine State Planning Office Doug Beck -Maine Recreation and Parks Association Planning Team Rex Turner, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BPL Katherine Eickenberg, Chief of Planning, BPL Alan Stearns, Deputy Director, BPL The preparation of this report was financed in part through a planning grant from the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under the provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. Maine SCORP 2009-2014 Contents CONTENTS Page Executive Summary Ex. Summary-1 Forward i Introduction Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LWCF) & ii Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) ii State Requirements iii Planning Process iii SCORP’s Relationship with Other Recreation and Conservation Funds iii Chapter I: Developments and Accomplishments Introduction I-1 “Funding for Acquisition” I-1 “The ATV Issue” I-1 “Maintenance of Facilities” I-2 “Statewide Planning” I-4 “Wilderness Recreation Opportunities” I-5 “Community Recreation and Smart Growth” I-7 “Other Notable Developments” I-8 Chapter II: Major Trends and Issues Affecting Outdoor Recreation in Maine A.
  • Pedal the Coast I Own Bike Shorts a Boothbay to Bar Harbor Bike Tour My Bike Has a Name

    Pedal the Coast I Own Bike Shorts a Boothbay to Bar Harbor Bike Tour My Bike Has a Name

    TRIP LEVELS: Pedal the Coast I own bike shorts A Boothbay to Bar Harbor Bike Tour My bike has a name MAINE Price: $2,495 What’s included? Trip Length: 7 days / 6 nights Trip Dates: Ꮀ Six nights’ lodging Trips available in June, July, Ꮀ All lodging taxes and gratuities Bike Rental: Hybrid $100 / Road $160 August, September, and October. Single Supplement: $600 Ꮀ Most meals – including five dinners, six breakfasts, and two lunches Ꮀ All taxes and gratuities for these meals Gear-up for great cycling through scenic coastal Maine. We cover a lot Ꮀ Expenses paid for sailing on the of ground but you’ll only notice mile after mile of breathtaking scenery Schooner as you get to know the Maine we love. We’ll share with you some of Ꮀ Entrance fee for Penobscot Narrows our favorite rides and destinations as we travel from inn to inn for the Bridge and Acadia National Park first five days. Ꮀ Experienced Summer Feet Guides Ꮀ Detailed route notes and maps Every day you’ll be treated to great food, unique experiences, and the Ꮀ Van support including fresh water, warmth of Maine hospitality. Ride up into the Camden Hills and to the ample snacks, and “relief rides” summit of Cadillac Mountain (and down!). You’ll reach out-of-the-way Ꮀ Summer Feet Souvenirs – a cycling water bottle and t-shirt (available in places like Clark Island and Castine. You’ll see unusual reversing falls. men’s and women’s fit) You might meet the lobsterman who caught your lunch! Off-bike, explore Ꮀ Alcoholic beverages are not included famous towns like Blue Hill, Bar Harbor, and Camden.
  • Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, 2014-2019

    Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, 2014-2019

    ME State Comprehensive Outdoor Recrea on Plan 2014-2019 2014-2019 ME Bureau of Parks & Lands Dept. of Agriculture, Conserva on, and Forestry Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014-2019 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, 2014-2019 July, 2015 Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) Steering Committee Kaitlyn Bernard Maine Program Associate Appalachian Mountain Club Greg Sweetser Executive Director Ski Maine Association Leif Dahlin Community Services Director City of Augusta Phil Savignano Senior Tourism Officer Maine Office of Tourism Jessica Steele Director of the Outdoor Adventure Unity College Center James Tasse Ph.D. Education Director Bicycle Coalition of Maine Greg Shute Outdoor Programs Director The Chewonki Foundation Dan Parlin President Topsham Trailriders ATV/ Snowmobile Club Al Cowperthwaite Executive Director North Maine Woods, Inc. John Daigle Associate Professor of Forest Recreation University of Maine School Of Forest Management Resources Judy Sullivan Program Director Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation Planning Team Rex Turner Outdoor Recreation Planner (SCORP Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands coordinator, writer) Katherine Eickenberg Chief of Planning and Acquisitions Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Doug Beck Supervisor of Outdoor Recreation (LWCF Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands program manager) Survey Research Team John Daigle University of Maine Sandra
  • Visitor's Guide

    Visitor's Guide

    MAINE KatahdinMaine.com VISITOR’S GUIDE Welcome Stop at the Chamber office at 1029 Central Street, Millinocket for trails, maps, guidance and more! Download the Discover Katahdin App so you can access information while on the move. Maine is home to many mountains and several state parks but there is only one mile-high Katahdin, the northern terminus INSIDE of the Appalachian Trail, located in the glorious Baxter State ATV Trails Park. Located right “next door” is the Katahdin Woods and & Rules ........... 63-65 Waters National Monument. These incredible places are right Multi-Use Trail here in the Katahdin Region. Make us your next destination— Map (K.R.M.U.T.) .... ......................66-67 for adventures in our beautiful outdoors, and experiences like none other. Let us help you Discover Your Maine Thing! Canoeing & Kayaking .........56-61 Located in the east central portion of the state, known as The Map ............... 50-51 Maine Highlands, the Katahdin region boasts scenic vistas Children’s Activities ...18 and abundant wildlife throughout northern Penobscot Coun- ty’s hilly lake country, the rolling farm country of western Pe- Cross-Country Skiing nobscot, and southern Aroostook’s vast softwood flats. The & Snowshoeing....68-71 area is home to incredible wildlife; including our local celeb- Maps ............. 72-79 rity the moose, as well as osprey, bald eagles, blue herons, Directory beaver, black bear, white-tailed deer, fox and more. of Services ...... 82-97 Festivals ...............98 Visit in spring, summer and fall to enjoy miles of hiking trails—from casual walks to challenging hikes, kayaking and Getting Here .......... 5 canoeing on pristine lakes, white water rafting with up to Katahdin Area Class V rapids, world class fishing for trout, landlocked salmon Hikes ..............
  • The Regions of Maine MAINE the Maine Beaches Long Sand Beaches and the Most Forested State in America Amusements

    The Regions of Maine MAINE the Maine Beaches Long Sand Beaches and the Most Forested State in America Amusements

    the Regions of Maine MAINE The Maine Beaches Long sand beaches and The most forested state in America amusements. Notable birds: Piping Plover, Least Tern, also has one of the longest Harlequin Duck, and Upland coastlines and hundreds of Sandpiper. Aroostook County lakes and mountains. Greater Portland The birds like the variety. and Casco Bay Home of Maine’s largest city So will you. and Scarborough Marsh. Notable birds: Roseate Tern and Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Midcoast Region Extraordinary state parks, islands, and sailing. Notable birds: Atlantic Puffin and Roseate Tern. Downeast and Acadia Land of Acadia National Park, national wildlife refuges and state parks. Notable birds: Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, and The Maine Highlands Spruce Grouse. Maine Lakes and Mountains Ski country, waterfalls, scenic nature and solitude. Notable birds: Common Loon, Kennebec & Philadelphia Vireo, and Moose River Downeast Boreal Chickadee. Valleys and Acadia Maine Lakes Kennebec & and Mountains Moose River Valleys Great hiking, white-water rafting and the Old Canada Road scenic byway. Notable birds: Warbler, Gray Jay, Crossbill, and Bicknell’s Thrush. The Maine Highlands Site of Moosehead Lake and Midcoast Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Region Park. Notable birds: Spruce Grouse, and Black-backed Woodpecker. Greater Portland and Casco Bay w. e. Aroostook County Rich Acadian culture, expansive agriculture and A rich landscape and s. rivers. Notable birds: Three- cultural heritage forged The Maine Beaches toed Woodpecker, Pine by the forces of nature. Grossbeak, and Crossbill. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Scale of Miles Contents maine Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Bicknell’s Thrush, and a variety of warblers.
  • Lighthouses on the Coast of Maine Sixty-Seven Lighthouses Still Perch High on the Rocky Cliffs of Maine

    Lighthouses on the Coast of Maine Sixty-Seven Lighthouses Still Perch High on the Rocky Cliffs of Maine

    ™ Published since 1989 Where, when, and how to discover the best nature 116 photography in America Number 116 - October 2010 Cape Neddick Light - 62 mm / 93 All captions are followed by the lens focal length used for each photograph - DX and FX full-frame cameras. Lighthouses on the Coast of Maine Sixty-seven lighthouses still perch high on the rocky cliffs of Maine. Some of these lighthouses were built more than two hundred years ago to help sailors navigate their way through storms, fog, and dark of night. These beacons saved wooden merchant vessels sailing dangerous courses through narrow and shallow channels filled with countless hazards. Maine’s lighthouses were a part of our country’s history at a time when we were defending our shores, as far back as the Revolutionary war. Some were damaged by war and many were destroyed by the violence of nature. Light keepers risked their own lives to keep their lamps burning. A proud and dramatic beauty can be seen in these structures and their rugged environments–the reason I recently returned to Maine for another photo exploration. Issue 116 - page 2 You can fly into local airports like Portland or Whaleback Light Bangor, but fares are better and flights are more 43˚ 03’ 30” N frequent into Boston. You may want to rent a car 70˚ 41’ 48” W with a satellite navigation system or bring your From U.S. Route 1, drive east on State Route own portable GPS receiver. Just set your GPS 103 for 3.8 miles. Turn right onto Chauncey coordinates for the degrees/minutes/seconds Creek Road until you reach Pocahontas Road.
  • 2021-2022 Season TYPE of RULE (Check One): ☒ Routine Technical ☐ Major Substantive

    2021-2022 Season TYPE of RULE (Check One): ☒ Routine Technical ☐ Major Substantive

    MAPA-3 revised 8-2019 Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal AGENCY: 13-188-Department of Marine Resources CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 11 Scallops; 2021-2022 Season TYPE OF RULE (check one): ☒ Routine Technical ☐ Major Substantive PROPOSED RULE NUMBER (leave blank; to be assigned by Secretary of State): BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rule-making establishes the 2021-2022 scallop fishing season. Daily possession limits of 15 gallons for Zone 1 and Zone 2, and 10 gallons for Zone 3 remain unchanged. For Zone 1, a 60-day season for draggers would begin on December 6, 2021 and the last day of the season would be March 17, 2022. For Zone 1, a 60-day season for divers would start on November 16, 2021 and the last day of the season would be April 29, 2022. For Zone 2, a 70-day season for draggers would start on December 1, 2021 and the last day of the season would be March 31, 2022. For Zone 2, a 70-day season for divers would start on November 19, 2021 and the last day of the season would be March 26, 2022. For Zone 3, a 50-day season for draggers would begin on December 1, 2021 and the last day of the season would be March 28, 2022. For Zone 3, a 50-day season for divers would begin on December 2, 2021 and the last day of the season would be March 26, 2022. New limited access areas are proposed for the 2021-2022 season: Western Casco Bay and Sheepscot River in Zone 1; and, Gouldsboro/Dyers Bay and West Moosabec Reach in Zone 2.
  • MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE the Following Document Is Provided By

    MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE the Following Document Is Provided By

    MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE The following document is provided by the LAW AND LEGISLATIVE DIGITAL LIBRARY at the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library http://legislature.maine.gov/lawlib Reproduced from combination of electronic originals and scanned originals with text recognition applied (electronic original may include minor formatting differences from pri nted original; searchable text in scanned originals may contain some errors and/or omissions) STATE OF MAINE 123rd LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR SESSION FINAL REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR’S TASK FORCE REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS AND PUBLICLY-HELD EASEMENTS JANUARY 31, 2008 Members Al Cowperthwaite Bob Meyers Jon Fitzgerald Dan Mitchell *Walter Graff John Rust Mac Hunter Greg Shute Alan Hutchinson *George Smith *Bruce Kidman *Sally Stockwell Jon Lund *Karen Woodsum Marcia McKeague Ray Wotton Legislative Members Rep. Thomas Watson Rep. Donald Marean Rep. Jacqueline Lundeen Sen. Kevin Raye Sen. Bruce Bryant Staff Designated by the Governor Paul Jacques, Deputy Commissioner (Chair), Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Patrick K. McGowan, Commissioner, Dept. of Conservation *Tim Glidden, Director, Land for Maine’s Future * Indicates members of the sub-committee charged with drafting the “Understandings, Commitments and Recommendations” document, which comprises the core of this report. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On February 20th, 2007, Governor John E. Baldacci issued an Executive Order creating the Task Force Regarding the Management of Public Lands and Publicly-held Easements. The purpose of the Task Force was to develop recommendations to improve the accuracy and availability of information regarding management of public lands in Maine, and to ensure that decisions made on behalf of these lands were being made in a fair manner, in a way that meets the full array of recreational interests in Maine now and into the future.
  • Birding the Coastal Corridor

    Birding the Coastal Corridor

    BELFAST BIRDING OASTAL ORRIDOR Don Reimer C C Cloe Chunn • This section of Maine's coast is located within the (West) Penobscot Bay Coastal Subregion (Bennett, 1988), a section of the state's largest watershed. • It is characterized by rocky coastline, forests of transition hardwoods interspersed with white pine and hemlock, island forests of Paul Karner spruce-fir, and cool marine waters. • A difference of 10 feet between high and low tide increases the exposed intertidal zone, adding to the potential diversity of available habitats and birds found here. † LET'S GO BIRDING ¢ • The birds you see will depend greatly on the time of year. Some birds can be seen Maps by Margo Carpenter Birdwatching is a great way to stay in touch throughout the year. Others are migratory, Brochure by Seth Benz found here when traveling long distances from with the wonder and awe of the natural world their breeding grounds to wintering areas. at home or wherever you travel. It offers • Binoculars are a must and a spotting scope can wonderful opportunities be helpful. to explore and deepen your learning about the • More than 250 species of birds have been natural history of any spotted at the 6 highlighted sites. area. Belfast Birding Coastal Corridor from SandyTyp Point Beach State Park to Ducktrap Harbor. 1. Sandy Point Beach State Park - DeLorme 3. Sears Island - DeLorme Maine Atlas and 5. Bayside Town Landing - DeLorme Maine Maine Atlas and Gazetteer Map 23, E-2. Take Gazetteer Map 15, A-1. From Route 1/3 two Atlas and Gazetteer Map 14, B-5.
  • Sears Island: Options for the Future

    Sears Island: Options for the Future

    Sears Island OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE Sears Island OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE An Economically Productive & Ecologically Sustainable Vision Acknowledgments Sears Island: Options for the Future has been supported by the following col- laborating groups: Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Friends of Midcoast Maine, Friends of Sears Island, Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club, Maine SeaGrant, Islesboro Islands Trust, the Penobscot Bay Alliance and Protect Sears Island. Many private citizens from the Penobscot Bay region partici- pated in numerous planning and visioning sessions. The first section of this report was prepared by Terrence J. DeWan of Terrence J. DeWan & Associates (TJD&A), a landscape architecture and planning firm in Yarmouth, Maine. The maps of the three options for Sears Island and many of the photographs were provided by TJD&A. The economic analysis section was written by Charles Lawton of Plan- ning Decisions, Inc., a multipurpose planning company in South Portland, Maine. This economic analysis was peer-reviewed by Professor David Vail, Bowdoin economics department, and Catherine J. Reilly, State Economist, Maine State Planning Office. Other photographs of Sears Island used throughout the report were taken by Kevin Shields of Rockport, Maine. The layout was created by Headwaters Writing & Design in Camden; Camden Printing printed the publication on recycled, totally chlorine-free paper. We also thank the thousands of Maine people who have expressed their hopes and concerns for Sears Island during the past forty years, and who became engaged in charting its future. The discussions and debates that ensued over the period have shaped a future for this island that is both economic and ecologic.