Director's Letter

Welcome to our first on-line edition of The Maine Coastline. Using this new format, we will continue to provide information about the activities of state agencies, Maine's coastal towns and regions, news about legislative proposals and results, and other timely news about our coastal resource conservation and marine-related economic development.

In this issue we spotlight coastal management efforts in Maine's Downeast region, and in particular, the work of one of our partners, the Washington County Council of Governments (WCCOG). The Maine Coastal Program provides funding to nine of Maine's ten Regional Planning Commissions and Councils of Government that work on the coast. The funds provide partial support for the RPCs/COGs to assist coastal towns with land use planning, zoning, marine resource conservation, climate change planning and other coast-related issues.

Maine's Downeast region includes amazing examples of coastal and marine resources and residents have taken important steps to balance the conservation and development of coastal resources. The region hosts Maine's salmon aquaculture industry and a new tidal energy project. Many residents are dependent on healthy marine resources and a high quality natural environment for tourism. Over the years, the MCP has collaborated with WCCOG and the Sunrise Economic Council on projects such as the DESTINY ecotourism planning, land conservation, acquisition of the McCurdy's smokehouse site, development of an interpretive trail about aquaculture, municipal comprehensive planning, and bolstering the marine-related economy through selective investments. Likewise, MCP has worked with Downeast towns on harbor management and harbor improvements, comprehensive planning, land conservation and volunteer water quality monitoring. Other important partners in the region include the Downeast Coastal Conservancy and the St.Croix International Waterway Commission.

In the fall of 2009, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA -- the federal funding agency for the Maine Coastal Program) conducted its review of The Maine Coastal Program, as they do every three to five years. Positive reviews for the program help us maintain our funding, and useful recommendations help us improve what we do. With excellent examples of sound coastal management, highly qualified regional and municipal staff, enthusiastic volunteers and a wealth of pressing current issues, it was easy to pick Washington County as our area of focus for the week-long review. In a whirlwind tour, the reviewers heard about many efforts and met many Downeast residents. Featured stops included downtown Milbridge, U Maine Machias, Machiasport, and Eastport. Port improvements, dredging needs, renewable energy planning, scenic areas, shoreland zoning and shorebird protection were among the topics discussed. All of the Washington County projects got rave reviews, and as a side benefit, each of the three reviewers fell in love with Washington County and pledged to return with their families (as we knew they would.)

This newsletter's focus on one of Maine's coastal regions is something we will continue in future editions of The Maine Coastline. As always, we are interested in your feedback, questions and ideas about content for future issues. Please don't hesitate to contact us and enjoy all that the Maine coast has to offer during the spring season!

Kathleen Leyden, Director Maine Coastal Program