Right-of-Way Discovery Grants

Coordinator

Matt Nixon, Senior Planner (matthew.e.nixon@maine.gov; 207-624-6226)

Goal

Help communities find and assert public rights-of-way to the shore, which may be lost by the passing of generations and changing land ownership patterns.

Benefits

Enable commercial fishing and other marine industries to continue as a viable component of Maine's economy
Ensure opportunities for recreational use of the water by year-round and seasonal residents, as well as tourists

Participants

coastal towns

Funding

Maine Coastal Program (NOAA)

Timeframe

Program has been in continous effect since 1987; grants of approximately $1,000 are awarded each year to qualified applicants.

Recent Awards, 2010

Harpswell - The Town of Harpswell was awarded a $2,500 Grant for research activities related to the ownership and access rights at the Hildreth Road Access Point to the Ewing Narrows and Harpswell Sound. This access point is heavily used by clammers, fishermen, and the general public and the grant funding will be used to verify the Public Right of Way that is assumed by the town for the property.
Searsport - Deed research by the town of Searsport determined that the continuation, or extension, of Navy Street to the shore is a public way. The town posted a sign at the end of the street indicating that a public way to the shore exists and put down gravel to make walking easier.
Sedgwick - The Town of Sedgwick was awarded a $500 Grant to assist the Sedgwick Public Access Committee in deed research and abutting landowner dialogue for several access sites in the town. The volunteer board will use this funding to specifically develop files and to aid in the administrative costs of deed research for each of the several access sites.