Maine Coastal Plan
Final Assessment and Strategy under Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act
Submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
April 2001
Maine State Planning Office 184 State Street 38 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 287-3261
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction Priority Issues...... 1 Justification for Priorities...... 2 Summary of Past Efforts to Enhance the Coastal Program ...... 5
Public Participation...... 8
High Priority Issues Ocean Resource Management...... 12 Aquaculture...... 28 Coastal Wetlands ...... 34 Coastal Hazards...... 40
Other High Priority Issues Impacts of Land Use and Development...... 53 Public Access...... 68
Low Priority Issues Marine Debris...... 77 Siting of Energy and Government Facilities...... 80 Special Area Management Plans ...... 83
Fiscal and Technical Needs ...... 85
Appendix: Public Comments and Maine Coastal Program Staff Response
INTRODUCTION
PRIORITY ISSUES
Maine has had an approved coastal management program since 1978. Through a partnership with federal, state and regional agencies, local governments and other partners, the Maine Coastal Program attempts to balance the conservation and development of Maine’s coastal resources. While the core of Maine’s Coastal Program is the effective administration of environmental laws along the coast, the Program has conducted a wide range of projects over the last twenty-two years. From helping municipalities to plan for growth, to encouraging volunteer stewardship, to planning for public access, to developing innovative ways to manage marine resources, the Program remains active in a wide variety of coastal issues.
Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act offers states the opportunity to enhance their current coastal management programs by developing improvements to core law authorities, creating new programs, and designing new funding sources. This enhancement program requires states to periodically conduct a needs assessment of nine coastal policy areas that are considered priorities at the national level. This Plan includes Maine’s 2001 assessment of these issues. State priorities have been developed, and the strategies outlined in this document will guide our program enhancement efforts over the next five years, from 2001-2005.
Priority for Enhancement Issue under Section 309
Ocean Resources Management high Aquaculture high Coastal Wetlands high
Coastal Hazards high
Marine Debris low Energy and Government Facilities Siting low Special Area Management Planning low
Priority Issues for Issue Base Program Funding Cumulative Impacts of Development high Public Access high
1 JUSTIFICATION FOR PRIORITIES
Priorities have been assigned to coastal management issues by considering: 1) the results of assessments developed for each coastal issue area; 2) identified state agency priorities reflected in their most recent strategic plans; and 3) concerns raised by individuals and organizations during the public participation process; 4) track record of addressing topic in previous enhancement efforts, and 5) opportunities for development of new or enhanced management approaches considered to be eligible for CZMA Section 309 funding.
High Priority Issues for CZMA Section 309 Enhancement Funds